A Class A warehouse is the highest standard of warehouse real estate: ceiling height from 12 m, reinforced concrete floor rated for 5+ t/m², climate control, automatic fire suppression, hydraulic ramps. Rental rates are 2-3 times higher than Class B, and the deficit of such facilities in Ukraine exceeds 70%. In this article you will find detailed Class A warehouse requirements according to international classification, actual 2026 construction prices, ROI calculations, and a comparison of Class A/B/C categories.
What is a Class A warehouse and who needs one
A Class A warehouse is a modern logistics facility built to international Knight Frank / CBRE standards. These warehouses feature maximum ceiling height, reinforced flooring, automatic fire suppression and climate control. It is the only class that meets the requirements of international logistics operators, retail chains and e-commerce businesses.
Logistics operators (3PL)
12+ m height for 5-6 level racking. Automated docks, cross-docking, WMS systems. Continuous 24/7 operation.
Retail chains
Distribution centers for retail networks: from 5,000 m², temperature zones, sorting lines, order picking areas.
E-commerce / marketplaces
Fulfillment centers with large SKU counts, conveyor lines, packing and shipping zones. Fast processing of 10,000+ orders/day.
Pharmaceuticals & FMCG
GDP/GMP standards: climate control +15...+25°C, cold storage +2...+8°C, humidity control, clean rooms.
Investors
Class A warehouse real estate is the most profitable segment: 14-18% yield, minimal vacancy, long-term tenants.
Manufacturing companies
Finished goods and raw material warehouses with high storage requirements: chemicals, electronics, auto parts.
In Ukraine, the deficit of Class A warehouse space exceeds 70% — demand outpaces supply by 3 times. This means that an investor who builds a Class A warehouse today is guaranteed to find a tenant before construction is even completed.
Class A warehouse requirements according to international classification
The warehouse real estate classification (Knight Frank / CBRE) defines clear requirements for each class. Below are the mandatory parameters for obtaining "Class A" status.
Structural
Ceiling height from 12 m (optimally 13 m). Column spacing no less than 12x12 m. Straight-wall construction, span from 24 m. Sandwich panels 100-150 mm. Dust-proof floor coating.
Safety
Automatic sprinkler fire suppression. Fire alarm connected to monitoring center. Fenced territory, checkpoint, 24/7 security, CCTV with 30+ day recording.
Engineering systems
Climate control +5...+25°C. Forced ventilation. Heating (gas or electric). Backup power supply (generator). Fiber-optic internet.
Logistics
Docks with hydraulic ramps (1 per 500 m²). Dock shelters / dock levellers. Maneuvering area 36+ m. Parking for trucks and cars.
| Parameter | Class A requirement |
| Ceiling height | from 12 m (optimally 13 m) |
| Column spacing | no less than 12x12 m |
| Floor load capacity | from 5 t/m², dust-proof coating |
| Fire suppression | automatic sprinkler (ESFR) |
| Climate | +5...+25°C, forced ventilation |
| Docks | hydraulic ramps, 1 per 500 m² |
| Office area | from 5% of warehouse space |
| Territory | fenced, checkpoint, security, CCTV |
| Power supply | 2 feeds or backup generator |
Warehouse class comparison: A, B and C
The classification determines not only technical parameters but also rental levels, tenant quality and ROI. Below are the key differences between the three main classes of warehouse real estate.
| Parameter | Class A | Class B | Class C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ceiling height | 12–13 m | 8–10 m | 4–7 m |
| Floor load capacity | from 5 t/m² | 3–5 t/m² | 1–3 t/m² |
| Column spacing | 12x12 m and above | 9x9 — 12x12 m | 6x6 m (or none) |
| Fire suppression | Automatic sprinkler | Fire alarm | Fire extinguishers |
| Climate control | +5...+25°C | Heating (no climate control) | No heating |
| Docks / ramps | Hydraulic, dock levellers | Standard ramps | No ramps or primitive |
| Security | Checkpoint, 24/7, CCTV 30+ days | Security, CCTV | Limited or none |
| Rent ($/m²/month) | 6–9 $ | 3.5–5.5 $ | 1.5–3 $ |
| Construction cost | from 360 $/m² | from 280 $/m² | from 180 $/m² |
| Payback period | 5–7 years | 6–8 years | 7–10 years |
Class A warehouse construction cost in 2026
A Class A warehouse is the most expensive type of warehouse building due to its tall walls, reinforced frame, sprinkler system and docks with hydraulic ramps. Below are indicative prices from ReadyCon.
| Configuration | Area | Price from |
|---|---|---|
| Class A warehouse (basic) | 3,000 m² | 1,080,000 $ |
| Class A warehouse + office area | 5,000 m² | 1,900,000 $ |
| Class A logistics complex | 10,000 m² | 3,800,000 $ |
| Distribution center (multi-temperature) | 15,000 m² | from 6,000,000 $ |
Return on investment: 7-year calculation
Class A warehouse real estate is one of the most profitable segments of commercial real estate in Ukraine. Calculation for a typical 5,000 m² warehouse:
| Parameter | Value |
| Warehouse area | 5,000 m² |
| Construction cost | ~2,500,000 $ (including foundation, utilities, site improvements) |
| Rental rate | 7 $/m²/month (Ukraine average, Class A) |
| Annual income (gross) | 420,000 $ |
| Operating expenses | ~15% of income (84,000 $/year): management, insurance, maintenance, taxes |
| Net income | ~336,000 $/year |
| Net yield | ~13.4% per annum |
| Payback period | ~7.4 years |
A Class A warehouse near Kyiv or Dnipro finds a tenant before construction is even completed. We receive inquiries from logistics operators ready to sign a 5-7 year lease for a facility still under construction. This is a unique situation for the Ukrainian real estate market.
Class A warehouse construction stages
The full cycle from initial call to handover takes 4-9 months depending on the area and complexity of engineering systems.
- Audit and technical brief. We determine the warehouse purpose, type of goods, load requirements, number of docks, and temperature regime. Site analysis: geology, utilities, logistics accessibility. We compile the technical brief: dimensions, height, climate, fire suppression, security.
- Design. Architectural, structural and engineering sections completed in 3-5 weeks. Load calculations: racking up to 12 m, forklifts, snow and wind loads. Zoning: warehouse area, docks, office, amenity rooms, maneuvering yard.
- LGSF structure fabrication. At the ReadyCon factory in Dnipro: cutting, bending, galvanizing, marking. For 12-13 m height — reinforced columns and trusses spanning up to 36 m. Lead time — 4-6 weeks. Foundation and flooring work proceeds in parallel on site.
- Foundation and flooring. Strip or pile foundation. Industrial M400 concrete floor 200-300 mm thick with reinforcement. Dust-proof coating (topping or polymer). Load capacity from 5 t/m². Expansion joints every 6 m.
- Frame installation. Bolted LGSF frame assembly, sandwich panel cladding 100-150 mm. Installation of gates, docks with hydraulic ramps. Timeline — 6-10 weeks depending on area.
- Engineering systems. Sprinkler fire suppression system (ESFR), climate control, ventilation, electrical (2 feeds + generator), lighting (200+ lux), low-current systems (CCTV, access control, IT).
- Handover and commissioning. Full documentation package, facility handover, commissioning. Frame warranty — 10 years, cladding warranty — 5 years. Technical support.
Fixed price in the contract — if steel prices rise during construction, that is our risk, not yours. Payment is staged: advance upon signing, a portion upon delivery of structures, the remainder upon handover. No 80% prepayment like most competitors require.
Frequently asked questions about Class A warehouses
A turnkey Class A warehouse (frame + cladding + installation, excluding foundation) starts from 360 $/m². A full 5,000 m² complex with ramps, climate control, fire suppression and office space starts from 2,500,000 $. Foundation, flooring and utilities add 20-30%.
Ceiling height from 12 m, floor load from 5 t/m², column spacing 12x12 m, docks with hydraulic ramps (1 per 500 m²), sprinkler fire suppression, climate control +5...+25°C, office from 5% of area, fenced territory with security and CCTV.
Rental rate 6-9 $/m² per month, net yield 14-18% per annum. Payback period — 5-7 years. For comparison: residential real estate has a 12-15 year payback at 5-8% yield.
Class A: height from 12 m, sprinkler system, climate control, hydraulic ramps. Class B: height 8-10 m, fire alarm (no sprinklers), heating, standard ramps. Class A rent is 30-50% higher, but tenant quality is superior.
A 3,000-5,000 m² warehouse takes 4 to 6 months for the full cycle. For facilities over 10,000 m² — 6-9 months. Structure fabrication at the factory runs in parallel with foundation and flooring preparation.
Free Class A warehouse estimate
Send us the parameters: area, type of goods, temperature requirements — we will calculate the exact cost within 48 hours. Fixed price in the contract, staged payment, in-house manufacturing.
In-house manufacturing: Dnipro, Sicheslavska Naberezhna St., 15A
readycon.com.ua · ReadyCon@ukr.net