Industry Expert Spotlight with Christopher Ferritto

Southwest Florida is quickly becoming one of the most dynamic markets in the country for industrial outdoor storage (IOS). Once considered outside the state’s “big four” markets—Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando, and Tampa—Fort Myers and the surrounding region are now attracting attention from tenants and investors nationwide.

To understand the shifting landscape, we sat down with Chris Ferritto, Advisor at Mayhugh Commercial Advisors. Chris is a seasoned real estate professional whose career has spanned everything from downtown office leasing in Denver to the development of high-rises. Today, Chris brings his broad perspective and deep industry knowledge to the evolving IOS sector.

Chris Ferritto

Out-of-State Tenant Demand

Ferritto notes that out-of-state interest has surged in the Florida market, particularly in the wake of population growth during COVID and the rebuilding boom after Hurricane Ian.

“Companies are looking to move down here not just for business reasons but also so their employees can live here,” he explains.

Market Challenges

But interest doesn’t always mean availability.

“On the IOS side, there’s not a ton of product out there. There are very few sites with the necessary size, improvements, irrigation, and zoning dialed in,” Ferritto notes. “Some places look like you can store outdoors, but you actually can’t.”

He emphasizes that larger tenants, especially corporate-level players, often come with strict site requirements and slow decision-making processes.

“The big guys will say we need to be in this part of Fort Myers or Naples, and they have a wishlist zone. The reality is, there’s just not space there. They may need to get over that and consider the outskirts.”

A Market on the Rise

Even with these constraints, Ferritto sees steady growth ahead.

“A lot of people are looking at market share and what the IOS market has grown into,” he says. “Southwest Florida wasn’t on the big players’ radar before, but we’re slowly becoming bigger and starting to get noticed.”

Local developers who have navigated the regulatory environment have also played a key role, highlighting the importance of proactive site preparation in a market where supply is limited.

How He Got Here

Ferritto’s own path into IOS was less planned and more serendipitous.

“I’ve done everything from downtown office leasing in Denver to high-rise development. I’ve done a lot of different things in real estate. Sometimes you just fall into things.”

That breadth of experience gives him unique perspective on how Florida’s IOS market fits into the larger real estate ecosystem. When asked what guidance he’d offer to those entering the industry—or any industry—Ferritto keeps it simple:

“Whatever you’re doing, in or out of real estate, just do it to the best of your abilities. Usually things will work out, and if they don’t, you can’t beat yourself up if you put in the effort.”

Final Takeaway

As Southwest Florida continues to grow, so too does its appeal to IOS operators across the country. The challenge isn’t generating interest, it’s also creating the right supply to meet demand. With experts like Chris Ferritto leading the conversation, Outdoor Storage Hub is proud to spotlight the trends shaping the future of this fast-evolving sector.

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We are grateful to Chris for his time and the insights! For more updates, subscribe to our newsletter at outdoorstoragehub.com. If you would like to connect with Chris, he can be reached at 239-310-6257 or chris@mayhughcommercial.com.

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