E
astern Henrico's industrial landscape is heating up as the spring season approaches, with a recent high-profile sale solidifying the area's status as a hub for commercial activity. LaSalle Investment Management, a division of JLL, has acquired the 279,000-square-foot warehouse at 943 S. Airport Drive for $40.7 million, marking one of several significant industrial deals to close in the region.

    The property, part of the sprawling Sauer Industrial Center, is home to Sapporo-Stone Brewing, a joint venture between Japanese beer giant Sapporo and Stone Brewing Co., which was acquired by Sapporo in 2022 for $168 million. The brewery occupies approximately 149,000 square feet of the building's total space.

    However, it appears that Sapporo-Stone will soon be sharing its digs with another major player: ABB Inc., a global electrical engineering firm, is set to occupy the remaining square footage, according to plans filed with the county. Despite the sale, a spokesperson for Sapporo-Stone assures that operations will remain unaffected.

    The Sauer Industrial Center, spanning 450 acres and under development since 2018, has already attracted notable tenants like Mondelēz International, manufacturer of popular snack brands including Oreo cookies and Wheat Thins. The recent sale is the latest in a string of industrial deals to close in eastern Henrico, with other notable transactions including the Airport Logistics Center's $67 million sale and the Airport Distribution Center's $91 million sale.