Secured Seamless Transition for 1637 Francisco with Zero Vacancy
Challenge: Andrew A. had leased his 28,500 SF warehouse in San Rafael to FedEx for over 40 years. The income was stable, the tenant low-touch, and the asset practically ran itself—an ideal long-term hold. That changed when FedEx, as part of its national “Network 2.0” initiative, announced they would be consolidating operations and shutting down the San Rafael location. Andrew was now facing an unexpected vacancy in a property that had performed consistently for decades.
He turned to Ces Cecchin and Matt Brown of Meridian Commercial to help navigate the transition and secure a new tenant that would maintain the building’s value and ensure uninterrupted income.
Action: Ces and Matt began by delivering a detailed market analysis, outlining achievable lease rates, local tenant activity, and strategic positioning options. With a firm understanding of Andrew’s objectives, they developed and executed a focused marketing plan that included:
- Listings on major CRE platforms
- Outreach through broker networks and investor channels
- Direct social media campaigns
- Targeted calls and in-person visits to prospective users
Every inquiry was vetted for credit, use compatibility, and timing—ensuring any lease would meet ownership standards.
Result: Through their efforts, Andrew received three unsolicited offers to purchase the property. However, after evaluating both lease and sale scenarios, he chose to retain ownership. Ces and Matt secured a long-term lease with a well-established furniture staging, design, and retail company—with the lease commencing at midnight the day FedEx vacated.
The result: zero downtime, income continuity, and a new tenant aligned with Andrew’s long-term investment strategy.
Property Description
Located in the heart of East San Rafael’s industrial corridor, 1637 Francisco Blvd., E offers an opportunity to lease a well-located, functional warehouse with office/showroom potential. With FedEx vacating, the building will be available for occupancy in the fall of 2025. The site offers outstanding access to Interstate 580 and Highway 101, making it an excellent choice for logistics, fulfillment, and service operators looking to serve the North Bay and beyond.
This single-story, single tenant, industrial building includes warehouse and office or customer-facing retail/showroom. Featuring grade-level loading, a large fenced yard, and parking, it supports a wide range of industrial and distribution uses.
Location Description
Strategic location, situated in East San Rafael’s core industrial corridor with Immediate access to Richmond–San Rafael Bridge, Interstate 580, and Highway 101. Close proximity to Port of Oakland, East Bay logistics routes, and the North Bay consumer base. Ideal for companies needing regional access without crossing major bridges during peak hours.
Highlights
- ±28,500 SF total | ±24,660 SF warehouse + ±3,840 SF office/retail
- 8 grade-level drive-in doors (12’W x 14’H)
- Clear height 14’5″ on sides 15’6″ in center
- 600 A at 240V 3-Phase Power
- Fenced yard suitable for 84 parking spaces
- Flexible layout with customer-facing frontage
- Zoning: Light Industrial/ Office (City of San Rafael)
- Concrete tilt-up construction | single-story | built 1985
- Excellent visibility and access along Francisco Blvd E
- Immediate connectivity to Interstate 580 and Highway 101
Testimonial: “Ces and Matt helped us ensure income continuity, finding us a great tenant and eliminating downtime. They made a potentially stressful transition feel seamless. We’d trust them to advise, lease, or sell any of our investment properties.”– Andrew A., Property Owner