Walmart has opened a major new distribution center in Jacksonville, Fla., that will serve the retailer as a hub for the Southeast. Located at 1511 Zoo Parkway, the 1 million-square-foot facility will handle items for 18 Sam’s Club locations in Florida, South Carolina, and Georgia, as well as seven clubs in Puerto Rico.
“Jacksonville was a strategic choice for us due to its central location, which allows us to better serve our members across the Southeast,” Frank Herrera, general manager of the facility, told Commercial Property Executive.
“Additionally, the proximity to the Port of Jacksonville, skilled workforce, and strong relationships with local municipalities made this an ideal location for our new distribution center.”
JAXPORT is 10 minutes from the asset, which will store and sort imported goods for delivery to four distribution centers.
“Across consumer goods and services industries, all asset classes are balancing cost efficiency with demands for energy efficiency, employee experience, and technology integration,” observed Matt Weko, president for consumer goods and services at JLL’s work dynamics unit. “While innovation drives improvements in all these areas, including distribution centers, the current economic climate and consumer confidence levels keep cost control a primary focus.
“Companies with distribution centers are investing in targeted advancements to achieve long-term value and resilience, while carefully managing short-term expenses. This balanced approach addresses and anticipates consumer needs through real estate and facilities while optimizing operational costs, attracting and retaining talent, and remaining adaptable to fluctuating market conditions and consumer sentiment.”
Distribution center deal-making
Elsewhere in Jacksonville’s logistics market, Imeson Commerce Center was acquired by CIP Real Estate in a $53.8 million transaction. The 422,136-square-foot Class A distribution center was delivered in 2023.
Walmart’s new Jacksonville facility is among the latest in a series of major additions to its portfolio. In February, Walmart acquired Monroeville Mall and its Annex in Monroeville, Pa., for $34 million from CBL Properties, working with JLL. The retail assets totaled 1.2 million square feet.
In October 2023, Walmart opened a 1.5 million-square-foot automated fulfillment center near Dallas. The three-story facility was part of an $800 million project with a 730,000-square-foot grocery distribution center.
