Flex property is a type of commercial building that combines office space and warehouse space under one roof. The name comes from its flexibility: the same building can serve as a contractor’s shop, a showroom, a small manufacturer, or a distribution space. In Sarasota and Manatee counties, flex buildings are popular with local service businesses that need both a front office and a place to store equipment.
What a Flex Building Looks Like
Most flex buildings are single-story and divided into suites. A typical suite has a finished office or showroom at the front and open warehouse space in the back, with a roll-up door for loading.
Suite size: often 1,500 to 10,000 square feet
Clear height: commonly 14 to 24 feet in the warehouse area
Loading: grade-level roll-up doors, sometimes with a dock
Office share: usually higher than a standard warehouse
Typical Space Mix
The split between office and warehouse varies by building. This chart shows an illustrative suite with 30% office and 70% warehouse.
Space | Share | Chart |
|---|---|---|
Office or showroom | 30% | ██████ |
Warehouse | 70% | ██████████████ |
Flex vs Office vs Warehouse
Feature | Office | Flex | Warehouse |
|---|---|---|---|
Office share | Nearly 100% | About 20% to 50% | Usually under 10% |
Clear height | 8 to 10 feet | 14 to 24 feet | 24 feet and up |
Loading | None | Roll-up doors | Docks and roll-up doors |
Typical users | Professional services | Contractors, showrooms, light assembly | Distribution and logistics |
Who Uses Flex Space
HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and pool contractors
E-commerce and small distribution businesses
Showrooms for cabinets, flooring, lighting, and boats
Light manufacturing and assembly
Medical device, lab, and technology companies
What Makes a Flex Building Valuable
Location: easy access to I-75 and major roads such as University Parkway, Fruitville Road, and Clark Road.
Clear height and doors: more height and larger doors attract more tenants.
Power: three-phase power expands the range of possible users.
Parking and yard space: contractors need room for trucks and trailers.
Divisible suites: smaller suites usually lease faster and spread vacancy risk.
Lease structure: many flex leases are triple net, so tenants pay their share of taxes, insurance, and upkeep.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is flex space considered industrial?
Yes. Flex is usually classified as a type of industrial property, and it is often located in light industrial zoning districts.
Why is flex space in demand?
Flex suites give small and mid-sized businesses office and warehouse space in one place. Little new small-bay space has been built in many markets, so good suites often lease quickly.
If you own a flex or industrial building and want to know what it is worth, sell industrial or flex property or call Eric Barnes at 941-207-9707.
For property owners
Sell industrial or flex property
About the author: Eric Barnes
Eric Barnes | Commercial Advisor | 941-207-9707
Michael Saunders & Company | MSC Commercial | Sarasota, Florida
Florida License SL3600406 | GRI | RSPS
More about Eric Barnes