You've probably driven past a hundred gray warehouses this month without giving them a second thought. Most people do. But if you’re looking at 172 Trade Street 40511, you’re looking at one of those specific gears in the American supply chain that keeps everything from your morning coffee to your new car tires moving. It’s located in Lexington, Kentucky, specifically within the Blue Grass Industrial Park.
Lexington is famous for horses. It's famous for bourbon. But it's also quietly becoming a heavy hitter in regional distribution.
Located right off the Georgetown Road corridor, this specific address isn't just a random spot on a map. It's strategically tucked near the I-64 and I-75 interchange. That’s the "Golden Triangle." If you’re a logistics manager, that intersection is basically the Holy Grail because you can reach 65% of the U.S. population in a day's drive. That is a lot of pavement.
What’s actually at 172 Trade Street 40511?
Basically, this is a heavy-duty industrial facility. It’s not a boutique or a flashy tech startup office. We are talking about 40,000 to 50,000 square feet of high-bay warehouse space.
The building has been home to several industrial players over the years. Most notably, companies like S&S Tire have utilized this space. If you’ve ever wondered how a local mechanic gets a specific set of Michelins by 2:00 PM when they weren't in stock at 9:00 AM, it's because of hubs like this. They act as "last-mile" or regional feeder centers. They aren't the massive Amazon fulfillment centers that are the size of twelve football fields; they are the specialized nodes that handle the gritty, heavy stuff.
The property features typical industrial specs:
- Dock-high doors for semi-trucks.
- Drive-in doors for smaller box trucks.
- Ceiling heights that allow for serious vertical racking.
- A massive gravel or paved lot for trailer storage.
It’s functional. It’s loud. It’s essential.
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Why Lexington’s industrial zone is blowing up
Honestly, the 40511 zip code is a goldmine right now for commercial real estate. While everyone was looking at Nashville or Austin, Lexington just kept building out its industrial capacity.
The proximity to the Toyota Motor Manufacturing plant in Georgetown—just a few miles up the road—changes everything. When you have a massive OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) nearby, every warehouse within a 20-mile radius becomes potential "just-in-time" inventory space. 172 Trade Street sits right in that sweet spot.
If a supplier needs to hold seats, dash components, or fasteners for a production line that runs 24 hours a day, they need a spot that is five minutes from the interstate. This is that spot.
The real estate reality check
Rent for industrial space in the Blue Grass Industrial Park isn't what it used to be. A few years ago, you could snag warehouse space for $4 or $5 per square foot. Now? You’re lucky to find triple-net (NNN) leases for under $7 or $8. The vacancy rate in the Lexington industrial market has hovered near historic lows, often under 3%.
When vacancy is that low, properties like 172 Trade Street become incredibly valuable. You don't see "For Lease" signs stay up for long here. Usually, the next tenant is lined up before the old one even packs their pallets.
The logistics of the 40511 zip code
Look at the map. You’ll see 172 Trade Street is surrounded by big names. You've got UPS nearby. You've got FedEx Ground hubs within a short haul.
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This matters because of "pull times."
If a business at this address needs to get a package out to a customer in Chicago or Atlanta, they can drop it at a hub late in the evening and it will still arrive the next morning. It’s that efficiency that keeps the lights on in these buildings. It isn't just about storage; it's about velocity. How fast can you get the "thing" from the rack to the truck?
The layout of Trade Street is designed for the turn-radius of a 53-foot trailer. That sounds boring until you're a driver trying to back into a tight dock at 4:00 AM in the rain.
What people get wrong about Trade Street
People think these industrial areas are "dead zones." They aren't. They are the heartbeat of the local economy.
The 40511 area supports thousands of blue-collar jobs that pay significantly better than retail or food service. Forklift operators, inventory managers, CDL drivers, and logistics coordinators—these are the people walking through the doors at 172 Trade Street.
Another misconception: that these buildings are old and crumbling. While some of the parks in Lexington date back to the 60s and 70s, many, including the facilities around Trade Street, have undergone significant "adaptive reuse" or modernization. Think LED lighting, ESFR (Early Suppression, Fast Response) fire sprinklers, and fiber-optic internet. A warehouse today is basically a giant computer that holds boxes.
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How to navigate the area
If you're heading there for a pickup or a delivery, don't just rely on a standard GPS. Most consumer apps will try to take you through residential cut-throughs that are a nightmare for trucks.
- Take the New Circle Road (KY-4) loop.
- Exit onto Georgetown Road (US-25) heading North.
- Turn onto Trade Street.
It’s built for heavy traffic. The roads are wider, the asphalt is thicker, and the turns are more forgiving. Just watch out for the shift changes; around 3:00 PM and 11:00 PM, the traffic spikes as the warehouse crews swap out.
The future of 172 Trade Street
What happens next? As e-commerce continues to eat the world, these mid-sized industrial footprints are becoming the most sought-after assets in the country.
We are seeing a trend where companies are moving away from one massive central warehouse to dozens of smaller "satellite" warehouses. 172 Trade Street fits the satellite model perfectly. It’s large enough to hold a significant amount of SKUs but small enough to be managed by a lean team.
Expect to see more automation here too. It’s not uncommon now for facilities in the 40511 area to start experimenting with autonomous floor scrubbers or even automated picking systems. The labor market is tight, and tech is the only way to keep up with the demand.
Actionable steps for business owners and investors
If you are looking at this property or the surrounding area, keep these points in mind:
- Check the Zoning: 172 Trade Street is zoned for heavy industrial (I-2) or light industrial (I-1). This is crucial because it allows for manufacturing and heavy distribution that wouldn't be allowed closer to downtown.
- Audit the Power: Industrial users today need more juice. If you're moving in, verify the 3-phase power capacity. Modern machinery and massive HVAC units for climate-controlled storage require serious amperage.
- Look at the Taxes: Fayette County has specific payroll taxes and occupational licenses. Factoring these into your overhead is a must before signing a long-term lease.
- Network Locally: The Bluegrass Business Consortia and the Lexington Chamber of Commerce (Commerce Lexington) are very active in this corridor. Being on their radar can help with everything from tax incentives to finding skilled labor.
The 172 Trade Street 40511 location is a microcosm of the current American economy. It's gritty, it’s functional, and it’s absolutely indispensable for the way we live now. Whether it’s tires, car parts, or consumer goods, this address helps bridge the gap between "ordered" and "delivered."