Boston Industrial Figures Q1 2025

The Greater Boston Metro experienced some momentum to begin 2025, recording an uptick in owner/user sales, as well as build-to-suit and land site activity. The overall market posted 543,217 sq. ft. of net absorption this quarter, carried by UPS’s approximately 845,000 sq. ft. build-to-suit lease for a distribution center in Grafton. At a larger rate, occupiers are opting to buy rather than rent their facilities (a trend also being observed nationally) or engage in build-to-suits, motivated by the long-term cost savings, potential tax deductions, and customization ability. Also adding fuel to the market, a handful of larger requirements have picked back up after being put on hold due to economic and business-related concerns in late 2023 and 2024, most of which are focused on land or build-to-suits.