Why Lease Industrial Near CLT? 7 Big Advantages of the Charlotte Airport Neighborhood

Just west of the center of Charlotte, NC, the Airport neighborhood is one of the top markets for industrial businesses, offering a wide range of options for companies looking for multiple reliable transportation networks, fast regional coverage via major interstates, and a talented labor pool. In addition to the numerous benefits that the local market offers, the ongoing expansion of the Charlotte Douglas International Airport further solidifies the area’s resilience, mirroring the strong economy on which this industrial powerhouse is built.

What are some of the specific advantages that this Charlotte metro location offers to businesses? Let’s take a look at a few.

7 Advantages of Leasing Industrial Space Near Charlotte’s Airport Neighborhood

Advantage #1— Same-Day Air Access for Time-Critical Freight

Leasing near the Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) gives industrial businesses front-seat access to CLT’s notable cargo capabilities. In 2024, CLT processed 206,000 short tons of cargo, ranking in the top 40 for all-cargo landed weight. This impressive amount of air cargo came at a 14% increase over 2023.

Leasing industrial sites in this strategic location gives businesses easy access to the airport’s reliable freight service, supported by CLT’s competitive logistics and extensive infrastructure. With an 80% on-time departure rate, the Charlotte Douglas International Airport ensures shippers access to ship time-sensitive freight nationwide. Many carriers even offer same-day delivery through the airport’s cargo service.

Advantage #2—Rail-Truck Synergy at Norfolk Southern’s Airport Intermodal

The Charlotte Douglas International Airport backs up to the Norfolk Southern’s Charlotte Regional Intermodal Facility, further bolstering shipping options for the area’s industrial market. Direct access to the 200-acre intermodal facility plays a critical role in reducing drayage times and widening port reach.

Providing immediate access to I-485, transfers from rail to truck minimize last-mile delays and allow containers to move between transportation options in just minutes. The intermodal connects to key ports on the East Coast, including Savannah, Charleston, and Wilmington, giving businesses a significant network for product import and export in this prime location.

The intermodal facility is forecasted to generate $9.5 billion to the Charlotte region in terms of economic impact over just 2 decades, effectively playing its part in moving Charlotte forward toward greener, faster, more competitive supply chains.

Advantage #3—Interstate Triad (I-485/I-85/I-77) = Faster Regional Coverage

The major highways surrounding Charlotte play a key role in giving industrial businesses prime access to local and regional stops. I-485 circles the metro Charlotte area, while I-77 and I-85 allow supply chain and logistics operations to effortlessly connect to delivery stops and transportation hubs all around the eastern side of the country. I-77 stretches over 600 miles in length, running north/south from Cleveland, OH to Columbia, SC. And I-85 runs another 600+ miles east and west, from Petersburg, VA to Montgomery, AL.

Currently, I-485 is in the process of acquiring another express lane running in each direction, which should improve local traffic flow and reliable transport times. The project is set to be completed in the winter of 2025.

Advantage #4—Depth of Class A Product in Airport & Westinghouse

The Airport and Westinghouse submarkets provide an impressive menu of options for Class A industrial buildings, with modern features such as high ceilings (30′-36′ clear height is common), ESFR sprinklers, deep truck courts, and generous trailer parking. New developments include unique features such as climate control, advanced security systems, sustainable design, energy-efficient systems, and flexible layouts.

While there is a range of commercial spaces available in the area, including older buildings, most of the new builds feature exceptional warehouse space and industrial space in building Class A. Industrial properties in the Airport neighborhood are typically zoned I-2 (medium industrial) or ML-1 (formerly I-1—light manufacturing and industrial).

Advantage #5—Labor Access and Shift Scheduling

The I-485 ring road—Charlotte’s 67-mile beltway—maximizes transportation options for Mecklenburg County and the surrounding counties, drawing a large and diverse labor pool with minimum commute times. The connectivity of the ring road also allows for multiple shift schedules, giving employees the opportunity to access the area quickly on the major highways and limiting peak commute congestion.

In addition to the Airport neighborhood’s convenient location within the major highways, the CATS Sprinter service also offers public transportation from Uptown Charlotte to the Airport area.

The opportune transportation options available near this submarket give companies prime access to Charlotte’s skilled workforce for all shifts.

Advantage #6—Flexibility for Growth (Infill + New Parks)

Despite its advantageous location, there’s still plenty of flexibility for growth near the Charlotte Douglas International Airport, including a mix of infill developments and new industrial parks. The Prologis Shopton 485 Logistics Park and Graham Park CLT are good examples of this.

These high-quality listings will offer modern features, proximity to key transportation hubs, 32′-40′ clear heights, and more.

The Prologix Shopton 485 Logistics Park is a 3-building park covering over 1M square feet. Its final building is set to be completed in 2026.

Graham Park CLT, located on Graham Park Drive, is also set to be completed in 2026 and offers 171,920 square feet of industrial space, concrete tilt-wall construction, ESFR sprinklers, and two acres of outdoor storage.

These up-and-coming parks are just two examples of available space that the ever-expanding neighborhood offers near the airport and the Norfolk Southern Intermodal.

Advantage #7—Resilience & Redundancy

The area’s multiple transportation modes (air/rail/highway) create a resilient and redundant infrastructure system that hedges against disruptions and supports robust supply chain operations. The multimodal network offered by this Charlotte submarket makes it easier to overcome challenges that may arise in one mode.

In addition to its thriving infrastructure system, CLT’s ever-expanding terminal signals continued growth over the next decades, supporting increased passenger and cargo volumes. Currently, construction projects within CLT include the fourth, 10,000-foot runway (set to be finished in the fall of 2027), “end-around” taxiways, expansion of the “south ramp”, and more.

CLT’s long-term commitment to reliable air service, coupled with highway and rail access, makes the Airport area exceptionally resilient and dependable for industrial users.

Key Buyer Considerations

While the Airport neighborhood of Charlotte offers unparalleled benefits, there are a few conditions that buyers should be aware of before closing a lease.

• Height and Flight Path Restrictions. Some buildings near the airport may face height restriction limits or may require special permits related to keeping flight paths clear.
• Airplane noise is to be expected in this area, which could be labeled as a disruption for some operations.
• Peak-Hour Congestion. Employees traveling during peak hours may be affected by the congestion that’s common around the airport. Ongoing road projects, such as the additional lanes on I-485, are taking place to minimize delays.

No area is perfect, and understanding the downsides of the Airport neighborhood can help you make an informed decision and plan for possible challenges.

FAQs About Leasing Industrial Space Near the Charlotte Douglas International Airport

How is the economy near the Charlotte Douglas International Airport?

While the economy is booming all over the state of North Carolina, growth around the Airport region of Charlotte is especially strong. The Charlotte Douglas International Airport itself is a powerful driver of the area’s burgeoning economy, with the airport contributing $40 billion annually to the economy of the Carolinas as of 2023. 

Is the Charlotte Douglas International Airport expanding? 

Yes, the Charlotte Douglas International Airport continues to expand and add new runways and building additions, as well as to prioritize renovations and other improvements. In September of 2025, the $608 million Terminal Lobby Expansion was completed, and there is currently a fourth parallel runway project underway which is scheduled to be ready for use in the fall of 2027.

Does Charlotte’s Airport neighborhood have a strong labor pool?

Charlotte’s rapid growth is a major contributor to its fast-growing and talented labor pool. For industrial and manufacturing companies near the airport, the I-485 ring road and other major highways (including I-85 and I-77) maximize employee access with minimum commute times. 

Is Charlotte’s Airport neighborhood a good place for industrial businesses?

Many factors make the Airport neighborhood a compelling place for industrial businesses, including reliable freight service, Charlotte’s interstate triad (I-485/I-85/I-77), an extensive menu of Class A industrial buildings, a diverse and talented labor pool, growth flexibility, and more.

Is there room for new construction near the Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)?

Yes, despite its prime location and hundreds of successful businesses, there is still available space for new builds around the Airport neighborhood and its adjacent suburbs.

What are the downsides of leasing industrial property near CLT? 

While the benefits of being near CLT and the Norfolk Southern’s Charlotte Regional Intermodal Facility are numerous, there are a few potential downsides to consider, including height and flight path restrictions for certain buildings, airplane noise, and peak-hour congestion for employees.

Request Your Free Market Report

Want a custom shortlist to help you easily sort through properties that fit your needs near the Charlotte Douglas International Airport? We’ve got you. Request your free market report for a customized list of industrial space options.

With nearly 1000 sales and lease transactions completed, our team at Regent Commercial Real Estate has the tools and experience to guide you to the perfect property. Brian Smith, lead broker at Regent CRE, combines prestigious real estate credentials and over a decade of real estate involvement in Charlotte with a genuine and unwavering commitment to client success.

From finding off-market properties to market analytics to contract negotiation, we’re with you every step of the way.

Ready to partner with us in your search for Charlotte real estate? Contact us today.