How an Entrepreneur Built an Industrial Real Estate Portfolio

In this episode of The Industrial Real Estate Show, investor Kip Northrup shares the remarkable story of how he built a 14-property industrial portfolio in Michigan from the ground up, starting with a childhood passion for aquariums that evolved into a water feature business and eventually led him into real estate. Kip explains how early financial struggles pushed him to buy his first property out of necessity, and over time, he grew both his business and real estate holdings by purchasing underutilized or vacant buildings, fixing them up, and holding them long-term. He discusses his hands-on approach to property management with his wife, their preference for owning nearby assets, the emotional ups and downs of investing, and lessons learned from both wins and missteps—including a failed bowling alley redevelopment. Kip emphasizes simplicity in deal analysis, the power of cost segregation for tax advantages, and his passion for working directly with tenants to support small businesses. Now targeting a 50-property portfolio, Kip is cautiously expanding into retail while maintaining his core industrial strategy and values.

Connect with Kip:

LinkedIn: / kipnorthrup

Website: https://pbddevelopment.com/

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