Explore Your Options with the Team that Does It All

Greenfield Site or Retrofit Design

Understanding Greenfield Site vs. Retrofit Design

Is your business growing, changing, or shifting in ways that make your current space insufficient? Big decisions lie ahead, but you have options. Consider the value of updating your current space vs. starting fresh with a greenfield site. Both possibilities present benefits… and, as always, some challenges as well. Let us help you choose the solution that will accommodate today’s needs and your future expectations.

What is a Greenfield Site?

A greenfield site is undeveloped land, typically in rural areas, and often previously used for agriculture. Greenfield sites allow for a grounds-up approach to building a facility to suit your needs without constraints of existing footprints, parcel size, and tear-down/removal expenses. While greenfield sites offer great flexibility, they require all the challenges of starting from scratch.

Alternatively, a retrofit design may deliver everything you need, saving you time and money from starting entirely from scratch. Let us take a fresh look at your current facility to identify possibilities for better space use, more efficient storage options, updated conveyors and equipment, etc.

Contact the Apex team to explore all the options and deliver your desired results.

Greenfield Site vs. Retrofit Comparison

Advantages

Challenges

Greenfield Site

Design & layout flexibility
Optimize site for logistics, transportation, technology & sustainability
Expansion space for future growth
Option to lease or own

Extensive build time
Permitting & EPA compliance
Establishing infrastructure & utilities
Away from city services & infrastructure
Longer commute times

Retrofit Design

Cost savings
Quicker turnaround
Retain skilled workforce & proximity to customers & suppliers
Avoid complexities in acquiring new land
Essential infrastructure already exists
Fewer regulatory hurdles

Limited design & layout flexibility
Unexpected costs - hidden issues & outdated systems
Limited expansion potential
Addressing outdated compliance & safety standards
Operational disruptions
Integrating modern technology and automation may be cumbersome

Brownfield Sites

A brownfield site is often used interchangeably with retrofit, but that is an incorrect reference. A brownfield site is an abandoned commercial property often requiring extensive clean-up of hazardous materials or pollution. Investors typically develop brownfield sites due to the extensive time and risk involved in turning over the property.

However, if a city or municipality has made a brownfield site 'shovel-ready' by handling planning, zoning, environmental and soil studies, as well as providing infrastructure engineering and title information, it could be comparable to a greenfield site and worth evaluating.

Ready to Dig In.. Or Not? Call Apex Either Way!

Old Layout

New Layout

Deliberating between new construction on a greenfield site or retrofitting an existing facility is a significant decision. Greenfield sites provide customization and potential for expansion while retrofitting can capitalize on existing infrastructure and often presents a more cost-effective and quicker solution.

Partnering with Apex Companies isn’t a tough decision. Our team is comprised of industry experts with over 150 years of experience and thousands of project completions between them. We are ready to guide you through the process—from initial planning and design to the final stages of building, installation, and post-completion support.

Take a look at our Photo Gallery for inspiration, and when you’re ready, Give us a Call to get started!