Gravatos tracked over $1.6 billion in IOS transaction volume across the Atlanta metro over the last two years.

The metro's IOS footprint follows its major freight corridors. The I-75 and I-85 corridors account for the highest concentrations, driven by their role as primary north-south arteries connecting Atlanta to the broader Southeast supply chain. The I-20 West/Fulton Industrial submarket remains one of the most established IOS corridors in the region, while Airport/South Atlanta benefits from proximity to Hartsfield-Jackson — the busiest airport in the world. Demand along the GA 400 Corridor and I-20 East reflects the continued growth of the Atlanta market.

Select Submarket Commentary:

I-75 South led in overall transaction activity, driven by demand for smaller parcels, median site size of just ~3 acres, likely reflecting owner-user and local operator activity. I-20 West/Fulton Industrial commanded the highest total volume at over $420M+ of total transaction value.

Airport/South Atlanta posted the highest average sale price at over $8M, consistent with its larger median parcel size (~4 acres) and premium proximity to Hartsfield-Jackson Airport. Meanwhile, the GA 400 Corridor showed notable momentum - transaction activity nearly doubled year-over-year into 2025, signaling growing institutional interest.

I-20 East/Snapfinger saw the largest year-over-year acceleration of any submarket, offering a more accessible price point averaging ~$3M per transaction.

In leases sampled, the average rate has trended toward ~$8,000/month per acre in Atlanta, though rates vary by submarket depending on land availability.

IOS ownership remains highly fragmented in Atlanta, with individual & corporate owners representing 90%+ of the market.

Tenant Mix by Submarket

Atlanta's IOS tenant composition varies meaningfully across submarkets, and understanding who occupies these sites is just as important as understanding what they sell for.

Airport/South Atlanta stands out with the highest concentration of Transportation & Logistics tenants (24.3%), consistent with its proximity to Hartsfield-Jackson. Equipment rental rounds out the second largest share at 21.5%, with fleet-heavy operators that benefit from airport-adjacent positioning.

The I-75 and I-85 corridors are dominated by a mix of Equipment Rental & Sales and Services tenants, reflecting the bread-and-butter IOS user base. These are operators who need yard space for vehicles, machinery, and materials along major freight routes.

GA 400 Corridor skews more toward Services (21.1%) and Construction & Building Materials (20.3%), likely driven by residential and commercial development activity in North Fulton and Forsyth counties, one of the fastest-growing areas in the metro.

I-20 West/Fulton Industrial shows the most balanced tenant mix of any submarket, with Services, Equipment Rental, and Construction all landing between 16-19%, reinforcing its versatility as Atlanta's most established IOS corridor.

Tommy Barrow notes that “while Industrial Outdoor Storage is still defining itself as an asset class, one thing is certain: it’s not going away. Limited industrial zoning, scarce low-coverage sites, and a finite supply of usable acres, combined with lower overhead than traditional warehouse, continue to make IOS extremely attractive.”

Barrow adds that Class A IOS assets are still showing strong sales and leasing velocity in Atlanta, while lower-tier sites are beginning to see longer vacancy. “Not all usable acres are created equal. The companies leasing top-tier sites can afford current rates, but some lower-tier yards have outpriced their local credit occupiers.”

When underwriting IOS, Barrow emphasizes two key criteria: location and tenant flexibility. Access to interstates, functional ingress/egress, circulation, zoning clarity, and true usable acreage materially impact value. Equally important is how diverse a site’s potential tenant mix can be — the broader the appeal, the higher the likelihood of landing and retaining quality tenants.

The two biggest hurdles in today’s Atlanta IOS market are tenant affordability and municipal requirements. As rents approach $8,000 per acre per month, the tenant pool narrows. At the same time, paving, fencing, lighting, detention, and zoning overlays can materially increase costs and complicate execution.

Long-term fundamentals remain constructive, but as the market matures, site quality and functionality are separating winners from the rest.

Please reach out to Tommy Barrow for more information on the below.

FOR LEASE: A ±7,200 SF industrial building on 6.05 acres is available for lease in the South Atlanta submarket, offering a functional layout designed for fleet and outdoor storage users. The property features six 16’ drive-in doors with three drive-through bays, 56 tractor-trailer positions, and 14 auto parking spaces on a large paved yard. Strategically located near I-75, I-285, and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the site provides excellent regional access for logistics, service, and transportation operators.

FOR LEASE: An 11,500 SF service shop on approximately 3 acres is available for lease just off I-75 at Exit 201 (GA Hwy 36), offering strong access to the Atlanta regional transportation network. The facility includes 3,774 SF of two-story office space, five drive-through bays, and multiple 14’ x 12’ drive-in doors with 18’ clear height to accommodate service and fleet operations. The fenced, gated, and lighted yard provides functional outdoor space ideal for contractors, equipment users, and industrial service businesses.

FOR SALE: A ±3.96-acre infill industrial outdoor storage (IOS) site is available for sale in the South Atlanta submarket with excellent proximity to major logistics infrastructure. The property has plans approved for 66 trailer spaces and a ±5,600 SF maintenance facility, offering a ready-to-develop opportunity for fleet or logistics users. Strategically located just minutes from I-75, I-285, and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the site provides strong regional connectivity for transportation and service operators.

Tommy Barrow
Advisor
King Industrial
[email protected]
210-394-9943

Gravatos - Industrial Outdoor Storage Data Intelligence Platform. (Link)