An arial drone photo shows where two new industrial buildings will be constructed in Northridge 80|35, located on the northwest corner of Northeast 14th Street and Broadway Avenue just south of Interstate Highway 80-35. Photo courtesey of Hubbell Realty Co.

Construction has started on the first phase of a development in northeast Des Moines that is expected to add over 1 million square feet of Class A industrial space to the area.

The Opus Group is constructing Northridge 80|35, a speculative 60-acre development on the northwest corner of Northeast 14th Street and Broadway Avenue just south of Interstate Highway 80-35.

The land was once home to the Capitol Drive-In Theatre and was the proposed site for the NorthRidge Mall in the 1980s. Jerry’s Enterprises purchased the property in 1999.

The first phase of the industrial park will include two buildings, designed to accommodate a range of uses including logistics, distribution, e-commerce and manufacturing.

A 164,000-square-foot building will offer 17 dock doors expandable up to 39, four drive-in doors and 101 parking stalls. A 186,300-square-foot building will offer 21 dock doors expandable up to 50, four drive-in doors and 121 parking stalls.

Both buildings will feature 32-foot clear height, superior dock flexibility, ESFR sprinkler systems and clerestory windows that allow natural daylight to enter the space for energy reduction and an enhanced employee experience.

The buildings are expected to be ready for occupancy in 2022’s third quarter.

Opus is the developer, design-builder, and architect and structural engineer. Jerry’s Enterprises Inc., will own the buildings. Snyder & Associates is the civil engineer. Chris Pendroy and Bill Wright of CBRE-Hubbell Commercial, along with Jack Tornquist of CBRE’s Minneapolis/St. Paul office, are marketing the buildings for lease