The massive old Dallas Sears warehouse gets a makeover

One of Dallas’ largest industrial properties is undergoing a major reboot.

The nearly 2 million square foot warehouse just south of downtown was built in the early 1970s as a regional distribution center for retailer Sears Roebuck and Co. – one of the largest properties in this type of business in the country.

Located on South Austin Street near Corinth, the 5-story warehouse complex has been controlled since 2018 by California-based LBA Logistics.

The owner plans to spend $35 million to renovate the sprawling industrial property starting this summer, according to planning documents filed with the state.

The Irvine-based owner is marketing the building to warehouse tenants as Cedars Commerce Center.

Each floor of the building contains 330,000 square feet – each equivalent to a new single-story suburban warehouse.

LBA Logistics describes the project as a “high-end, efficient multi-level industrial building” and claims the site is an “ideal and accessible location in South Dallas”.

The 1,921,800 square foot warehouse complex is easy to spot near the downtown skyline, stretching along the north side of the Trinity River.

It is adjacent to the historic South Side on Lamar complex which once housed a Sears store and distribution center. The red and white brick buildings in 2000 were transformed into 457 loft-style apartments with fitness centers, conference center, library, theater, art gallery, and retail stores.

LBA Logistics controls dozens of warehouses and distribution properties across the United States. In Texas, the company also has buildings in Fort Worth and Houston.