Joe DownsCEO & Co-Founder, Belrose Storage Group. Founder, Storage Moguls.

Class C Without a Plan Is a Trap

28 Mar 2026 · 1 min

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Joe Downs explains why drive aisle width is the key constraint in warehouse classification. Class C facilities with aisles under 40 feet can't be upgraded without major reconfiguration, which locks in lower rent potential regardless of other improvements.

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Class C is fine. Class C without a forward plan is a trap. Here's the full side-by-side matrix I was talking about. All 3 classes across 11 factors. Screenshot this one, folks. The column that matters most when you're evaluating an existing facility is the drive aisle row. Under 40 feet, you are Class C by default, regardless of whatever else the facility has. You could be the nicest Class C around, but you're Class C. You can't upgrade past the drive aisle constraint without reconfiguring the site. Everything else can be added. Drive aisles cannot. The rent range column tells you what you can charge.