The Philadelphia region’s industrial development pipeline is beginning to shift south after several years of rapid construction.
Burlington County previously led the region’s industrial building boom. However, new development activity has slowed significantly across the South Jersey county.
Since 2020, Burlington County added approximately 22 million square feet of industrial space. That represents about one-quarter of the region’s 83 million square feet of new construction.
Now, Burlington County’s proposed development pipeline has fallen to approximately 2 million square feet.
Meanwhile, New Castle County in Delaware is emerging as a major destination for future industrial development. Approximately 13 million square feet of new space is currently proposed there.
That pipeline is more than six times larger than Burlington County’s current total. Furthermore, it nearly matches all industrial space delivered in New Castle County since 2020.
The shift could position New Castle County as the leader of the Philadelphia region’s next industrial development cycle.
Several factors continue supporting industrial growth across the southern portion of the region. These include highway connectivity, available development sites, and access to major Northeast population centers.
Still, the proposed projects do not represent confirmed construction starts. Some developments may be modified, delayed, or canceled during the approval process.
Even so, development pipelines provide valuable insight into where investors and developers are targeting future opportunities.
For now, the numbers point toward a geographic shift in Philadelphia industrial development. New Castle County could play a much larger role during the region’s next construction cycle.
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