Qualico Properties to Build Two High-Profile Distribution Centres in Edmonton

Edmonton, AB – Between two large-scale projects taking place in 2023, Qualico Properties will have 630,000 square feet of industrial space under development in Edmonton.

The distribution centres, one for The Brick and the other for Home Depot, represent tremendous growth within Edmonton’s light industrial real estate market in recent years.

“These are some of the biggest industrials deals that Edmonton has seen,” said Jeff Sutherland, Vice President National Leasing and Sales, Qualico Properties. “Distribution centres are a significant growth area for the industrial market, and we’re happy to have captured the attention of two of the nation’s biggest retailers.”

Qualico Properties worked closely with both retailers to understand their requirements and provided a tailored response to specifically meet their needs. The business unit utilized the expertise of all divisions within Qualico Properties which speaks to the strength of the business unit’s unified approach. 

“None of these large deals would be possible without the coordinated efforts of our entire team,” said Jeff. “Our development, leasing, and property management divisions work closely together to create properties that outshine the competition. The more success we achieve on large projects like these, the better equipped we are to succeed in the future.”

Qualico Properties announced a 50/50 joint venture with Leon’s Furniture Limited (LFL Group), Canada’s largest furniture, appliance, and electronics retailer, to develop a new distribution centre and corporate office for The Brick in Edmonton.

Slated to be completed in 2024, the 500,000-square-foot facility will be built on 28 acres of land in Qualico’s North 170 Henday Business Park. It will replace the 365,000-square-foot distribution centre already in Edmonton.

The new facility will represent the second largest in LFL’s portfolio. But the new distribution centre is much more than acquiring more warehouse space. The building includes a 60,000-square-foot 3-storey office component that will serve as the corporate offices of the Brick.

“In addition to expanded inventory capacity, the new Distribution Centre will feature state-of-the-art equipment allowing for quicker order fulfillment to the Brick stores across Alberta and Saskatchewan, said Mike Walsh, President and CEO, LFL Group.

“The joint venture partnership speaks to the strength of two long-standing companies within Canada that will combine Leon’s expertise in furniture distribution as well as Qualico Properties’ expertise in property development, leasing, and managing long-term income-producing properties,” said Mike Saunders, Senior Vice President, Qualico Properties.

“This distribution centre would be recognized as one of the largest light industrial build-to-suit opportunities announced in the Edmonton market and Qualico Properties’ largest light industrial build-to-suit,” he said. “It is also an amazing opportunity for Qualico because it completes the final phase of our North 170 Business Park.”

Located at 170 Street and 137 Avenue, the North 170 Business Park has been built out in three phases. The first phase includes an office/warehouse flex building with bays available for lease, with the second phase sold to another developer.

“North 170 Business Park has been in our portfolio for a long time, and we’ve had to adapt its development to changing market needs,” Jeff said. “The opportunity to develop the beautiful facility that LFL has envisioned is truly the highest and best use of the site.”

The Home Depot Distribution Centre, located in Acheson, is being built on 15 acres and the initial phase is 129,600 square feet of building space.  The home improvement products retailer has already initiated an expansion of 77,000 square feet that will make the total square footage 206,600.  This is the second building within the Acheson Industrial Lands development built for Home Depot.