Berkeley Partners Makes Strategic Move into Orange County Industrial Market with Acacia Business Center Acquisition

In a significant transaction highlighting the thriving industrial real estate sector in Southern California, Berkeley Partners has successfully acquired the Acacia Business Center in Fullerton, California. This purchase marks the Oakland-based light industrial investment firm’s first foray into the Orange County market, where industrial real estate prices have consistently outpaced the national average. The firm’s strategic investment aims to capitalize on the robust demand and supply constraints typical of this region.

Details of the Acquisition

According to Yardi Matrix data, Berkeley Partners acquired the Acacia Business Center, a substantial 202,461-square-foot industrial campus, for $46.6 million. This transaction translates to approximately $230 per square foot, which is a competitive price, especially when compared to the Orange County average of $255 per square foot recorded in January 2026. The purchase underscores Berkeley Partners’ intention to seize investment opportunities in vibrant markets characterized by strong demand.

JLL Capital Markets facilitated the transaction, representing the seller, Link Logistics. The senior management team, led by Patrick Nally, was instrumental in executing this deal. This acquisition stands as a strategic move for Berkeley Partners, aligning with its ongoing corporate strategy of expanding its presence in supply-constrained locations that offer promising growth prospects.

Features of Acacia Business Center

The Acacia Business Center is a fully leased Class B property with a single-story and a two-story structure, built in 1980. The campus is designed to accommodate logistics operations, featuring skylights, a state-of-the-art ESFR sprinkler system, and a total of 26 loading door configurations, including 23 dock-high doors and 3 grade-level doors. The property also boasts 253 parking spaces and a well-designed truck court, making it highly attractive for its sole tenant, Advanced Image Direct.

Positioned strategically in North Orange County, the center enjoys excellent connectivity to key transportation routes. Nearby Interstate 5 and State Route 91 offer direct access to the Greater Los Angeles area, further enhancing its desirability. The proximity to John Wayne Airport, approximately 17 miles away, and the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, within a 30-mile radius, also bolster its logistics capabilities.

Expanding National Footprint

Berkeley Partners is a vertically integrated real estate investment firm primarily focusing on light industrial assets, typically sub-250,000 square feet in size. With approximately 14.3 million square feet of industrial real estate and $3.1 billion in assets under management, the firm is well-positioned to take advantage of market trends in select U.S. markets. The acquisition of Acacia Business Center aligns with its strategy to focus on infill industrial markets, which exhibit strong demand and limited supply.

This acquisition follows a significant capital raise for Berkeley Partners. The firm recently closed its Value Industrial Fund VI, which attracted $610.5 million in equity commitments—far exceeding its initial target of $500 million. This closed-end fund zeroes in on value-add light industrial properties, reflecting the firm’s commitment to enhancing its portfolio during favorable market conditions.

Link Logistics and Strategic Dispositions

Link Logistics, the seller of the Acacia Business Center, is a subsidiary of Blackstone and stands as the largest owner and operator of last-mile industrial real estate in the United States. Acquired as part of Blackstone’s massive $18.7 billion deal for Global Logistics Properties, Link Logistics has seen tremendous growth and now manages over 470 million square feet of logistics space across 40 U.S. markets.

The sale of the Acacia Business Center is part of Link Logistics’ ongoing strategy to optimize its asset portfolio by making strategic dispositions. Previously, the firm sold the South Bay Distribution Center in January 2026 for $123 million, and a Fremont campus as part of another significant transaction. These actions reflect Link’s agility in capitalizing on market opportunities while streamlining its holdings in high-demand areas.

The Orange County Industrial Market Landscape

The acquisition arrives at a time when the Orange County industrial market is showcasing signs of stabilization after experiencing a period of normalization. Recent reports indicate that the industrial vacancy rate stood at 5.2 percent in the fourth quarter of 2025, reflecting a modest increase compared to prior years but remaining well below the peaks experienced during the Global Financial Crisis.

Despite a projected decline in industrial asking rents, which recently fell from an all-time peak of $1.65 per square foot NNN to $1.51 per square foot NNN, the market remains robust. The positive tenant demand noted in the fourth quarter, following an extensive contraction period, bodes well for continued investment interest in the region, particularly given that the vacancy rate in Orange County is still below the national average.

Investor Confidence and Market Trends

Investor appetite for Southern California industrial assets remains strong, bolstered by record activity at the ports and increasing demand for industrial space nationwide. With industrial acquisitions in Orange County totaling an impressive $174 million in January 2026, and $356 million in Los Angeles, the region continues to attract significant capital inflows. Prices per square foot significantly exceed national averages, further substantiating the desirability of the Orange County and Los Angeles markets.

As Berkeley Partners establishes its foothold in the Orange County market through strategic acquisitions like the Acacia Business Center, it affirms its commitment to harnessing growth opportunities in supply-constrained markets. With investors closely monitoring industrial trends and market stability, Berkeley Partners’ presence is set to contribute significantly to the local and national industrial landscape.

In conclusion, the acquisition of Acacia Business Center not only marks a pivotal expansion for Berkeley Partners but also exemplifies the dynamic nature of the industrial real estate market in Orange County. As industrial demand continues to flourish, strategic investments and market adaptability will be key drivers of success for firms navigating this vibrant sector.