In this episode of The Industrial Real Estate Show, Jeff Deehan of Dymaxion Development shares how his passion for city-building (first sparked by playing SimCity as a kid) evolved into a career in real-world development. Based in Lansing, Michigan, Deehan’s firm takes a hyper-local, mixed-asset approach, developing multifamily, industrial, and even community-scale projects within a 100-mile radius. Rather than chasing population or job growth trends, he starts with a property or area that’s underutilized and reimagines how it can be integrated into the broader economic and social fabric of the region. His firm simultaneously tackles construction, development, and asset management, giving them long-term flexibility and the ability to solve problems in real time.

Deehan discusses the difference between multifamily and industrial development, noting that industrial is typically easier to construct and manage but often faces more public resistance when outside traditional industrial zones. Conversely, multifamily projects generally face less pushback but come with different financing and entitlement dynamics. He also stresses the value of relationship-building in his market, spending hours each day speaking with brokers and local businesses to understand their needs and uncover opportunities.

When it comes to capital deployment, Dymaxion maintains a 50/50 balance between acquisitions and development, focusing on long-term value creation rather than speculative growth. For those looking to get into development, Deehan offers frank advice: start small, avoid overleveraging, and ensure you’re creating value you can live with—because development is rewarding, but definitely not for the faint of heart.

Connect with Jeff:

Website: https://www.dymaxionde...

X: https://x.com/Jeffdeehan

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In this episode of The Industrial Real Estate Show, Chad Griffiths welcomes returning guest Deren Huang, an industrial investor based in Tulsa. The interview kicks off with a fun lightning-round game where Deren challenges Chad to blindly rank various investments (from gold and Bitcoin to Olive Garden leases and drive-thru wedding chapels). The playful setup leads to insightful discussions about risk tolerance, asset classes, and how personal experience and logic influence investment preferences. Chad consistently favors predictable, scalable investments like the S&P 500 and industrial real estate, while expressing skepticism about novelty concepts and collectibles like vintage guitars.

The conversation then shifts into a deeper dive on Darren’s evolution from owning over 100 single-family homes to now managing over 200,000 square feet of industrial real estate in Tulsa. He shares candid lessons from early mistakes (such as overvaluing clear height at the expense of location and functionality) and emphasizes key attributes like geometry, site coverage, and access. Darren outlines his buy-box, investment strategy, and how he creatively financed properties during volatile interest rate shifts. He also discusses his transition from residential to industrial, the operational benefits of triple net leases, and his plans to pursue infill development. The interview closes with thoughtful advice to aspiring investors: start by learning the fundamentals, get to know your local market, and always remember that even in commercial real estate, you’re still dealing with people.

Connect with Deren:

Website: https://www.derenhuang.com/tulsa

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derenhuang

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🚨 New! "Industrialize: The Insider's Guide to Industrial Real Estate" is now available: https://mybook.to/industrialize

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In this episode of The Industrial Real Estate Show, Chad Griffiths is joined by co-host Matt Carroll and returning guest Dr. Jim Tompkins to discuss the current state of global trade, tariffs, and how these issues are impacting supply chains and industrial real estate. Dr. Tompkins breaks down the rationale behind U.S. tariffs under President Trump, arguing that while they have caused short-term pain, they are strategically aimed at rebalancing decades of trade deficits. He explains that tariffs, when combined with tax and regulatory strategies, can strengthen domestic manufacturing and reduce dependency on adversarial trade relationships. He compares this approach to adjusting a basketball strategy at halftime—adaptability, not inconsistency, is the goal.

The conversation transitions into a broader discussion of “reglobalization,” where supply chains are being restructured for resilience instead of just low cost. Dr. Tompkins outlines how companies should evaluate where to locate operations based on industry clusters, such as semiconductors in Phoenix, Austin, and Columbus, or pharmaceuticals in Boston, New Jersey, and North Carolina. He stresses the importance of optionality—diversifying suppliers and manufacturing locations—and points out how tools and government resources can help small and mid-sized businesses adapt. He concludes on an optimistic note, saying uncertainty is lifting and businesses should stop waiting and start preparing.

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🚨 New! "Industrialize: The Insider's Guide to Industrial Real Estate" is now available: https://mybook.to/industrialize

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