Inland Empire Industrial Market: Falling Rents, 3PL Demand & 2027 Outlook
Inland Empire Industrial Update: Rent Reset, Space Givebacks, and Asian 3PL Demand Live from the IAMC conference in Columbus, the Industrial Advisors podcast interviews Steve Bellitti about the Inland Empire industrial market's post-COVID reset. After rents surged about 100% in two years during COVID, the IE has seen four straight years of declining rents, down roughly 45–50% from peak, with higher vacancy and a tenant-favorable environment. Despite very limited new construction, availability remains elevated due to widespread "give backs" as companies shed excess space taken during COVID. Bellitti notes big-box, high-clear cross-dock buildings are performing better, and the west IE is outperforming the east largely because Asian (including Chinese) 3PLs have become a major demand driver, comprising 55% of 200,000+ SF deals since January 2024 and leasing 38.1 million SF. Port volumes have stabilized and are forecast up 4–6% year over year, supporting optimism into 2027 as COVID-era leases roll. 00:00 IE Market Whiplash 00:25 Podcast Intro Live at IAMC 00:51 From Boom to Correction 02:01 Rents Down Tenant Market 03:44 Givebacks Not New Supply 04:31 West vs East Submarkets 04:59 Chinese 3PL Demand Surge 06:35 Ports Tariffs and Volumes 07:55 Big Box Tenant Leverage 09:10 Crystal Ball IE On Sale 10:11 Wrap Up and Thanks







