As population growth continues to reshape the region, smaller-format industrial assets are playing an increasingly important role in supporting the businesses that service and sustain that growth.
One of the latest projects to reflect this shift is Atticus, a new industrial development at 28 Hub Crescent, Heathwood, delivered by LRP Developments and built by Prekaro Projects. The project forms part of a broader wave of occupier-led industrial stock emerging across SEQ, where functionality, presentation and long-term usability are increasingly front of mind.
According to Neal Orpin of RWC Collective, the fundamentals driving demand remain closely tied to the region’s growth story.
“SEQ is one of Australia’s fastest-growing regions, and that growth places constant pressure on industrial space just to keep pace,” Mr Orpin said. “Smaller, well-designed industrial assets are providing critical infrastructure for the small to medium-sized businesses that support population growth and local economies.”
That demand is being reinforced by a shift in how businesses view their operational footprint. Adam Robson, Director of LRP Developments, said SMEs and e-commerce-driven businesses are becoming far more strategic about the type of space they occupy.
“We’re seeing businesses actively choose well-located, high-spec boutique spaces that support agility, efficiency and brand presentation,” Mr Robson said. “With continued population and infrastructure growth across SEQ, and increasingly constrained land supply near urban centres, smaller-format industrial assets are becoming incredibly sought after.”
Rather than chasing scale, many businesses are prioritising efficiency, flexibility and quality - a trend that is also influencing investor behaviour.
Isaac Sarra of RWC Collective said expectations around industrial space have shifted markedly over recent years.
“Occupiers are far more design-conscious than they were even five years ago,” Mr Sarra said. “They want buildings that improve how their business operates - better power, higher clearance, efficient access, and layouts that can adapt as the business grows or changes.”
Adam Robson said that same flexibility is what continues to attract both investors and owner-occupiers to boutique industrial developments.
“You’ve got everyone from local trades through to creative and e-commerce businesses chasing spaces that balance warehouse functionality with strong street appeal,” he said. “From an investor perspective, these assets tend to be easier to lease and exit, while owner-occupiers often see them as a stronger long-term option than traditional commercial office.”
That occupier-driven demand is being reflected across a wide range of industries, from traditional trade services through to more specialised and emerging operators.
“We’re seeing interest from e-commerce users, cabinetmakers, engineering firms, painters and light fabrication businesses - it’s a broad mix,” Isaac Sarra said. “What they all have in common is a desire for well-presented, practical space that works hard for their business.”
Adam Robson added that many newer tenants are also blending uses within a single footprint.
“There’s strong demand coming from construction service providers, logistics operators, lifestyle and fitness brands, and businesses combining showroom, office and light industrial,” he said. “How a business is physically represented matters more than ever, and that heavily informs our design approach.”
Atticus has been designed with those priorities in mind, combining architectural quality with features that directly impact productivity and usability. Presentation, Mr Robson said, is now central to leasing success.
“Design is no longer an afterthought in industrial, it’s a deal maker,” he said. “Strong architectural form, landscaping and material finishes create confidence early, particularly when leasing occurs off-the-plan. It’s about delivering value, not just square metres.”
From a development perspective, usability remains the guiding principle.
“We design with the end-user in mind,” Mr Robson said. “Layout efficiency, access, natural light and adaptability are critical, but it also needs to feel elevated. The product should reflect the quality of the business operating within it. Working closely with Prekaro Projects allows us to lock in buildability and value from day one.”
As 2026 gets underway, projects like Atticus highlight the strength of South East Queensland’s industrial fundamentals and the continued evolution of what tenants, owner-occupiers and investors expect from modern industrial space.
Atticus Open Day – media invitation
To mark the start of the new year, RWC Collective will host an on-site open day at Atticus for journalists, investors, tenants, and owner-occupiers.
Date: Wednesday, 21 January 2026
Time: 9:00am - 11:30am
Address: 28 Hub Crescent, Heathwood QLD
Coffee and food trucks will be available on the day, with guests invited to inspect one of SEQ’s standout boutique industrial developments.
HIGH-RES IMAGES
Media Contact:
Neal Orpin
RWC Collective
0484 550 876
neal.orpin@raywhite.com
Nina Clarke
RWC Media
0448 841 606
nclarke@raywhite.com
