Help Renting an Abandoned Warehouse - Where do I start

G

gundar

Well-known member
I am on the lookout to rent an abandoned warehouse for 48-72 hours.

I don't have a location yet and will begin scouring this weekend.

Where have you had luck? Find the place - then the owner - then ask...?

I of course will have a contract drawn up waiving them of any damages or suits.
 
you start with the landlord, you follow up with as much safety precautions as you can possibly think of as you owe it to your cast and crew in case a floor or ceiling gives way or the lights cause a fire, plus you don't want to be sued. Good luck
 
Thanks for the help - yes "empty" and rundown is what I am looking for.

Please keep the help coming. I put some craigslist ads out.
 
I did some looking into this around Denver Colorado a few months ago. The biggest issue is anyone that would actually return a phone call required production insurance for all cast and crew involved, which I have no idea how to get, and I'm sure it's expensive. The other issue was price, $500 a day was the cheapest I could find, most wanted double that.


I think it would have been cheaper to try get a contract for a month lease of the property to be honest.
 
Erik,

The contract for a month lease isn't a bad idea. I will try and find the spot then pursue that and let you know how it turns out.
 
gundar said:
Thanks for the help - yes "empty" and rundown is what I am looking for.
Click to expand...

When you get a 'possible' ask to spend 12hours there prior, to find out what outside intrusions might be happening when you're in the thick of your project.
Most agents have no idea, but will tell you it's OK.

If you're going to use a wireless rig, set that up looking for stray RF.

btw Empty and Rundown are my lawyers, they handled the removal of my tattoo.
Imagine spelling mom with 2 Os.

Cheers.
 
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If you find something that you want to inquire about that is not for lease, you can use the tax records to find the owner information.

Talk to your/an insurance company now. It is standard to provide a $1 million liability rider specific to the shoot to the owner of a venue. That should show them that you are legit, serious, and know what you are doing.

Commercial property rents are expressed in $$ per square foot per year. For example, large industrial spaces rent for $2 to $4 per square, there are smaller technical/warehouse mix spaces here (Michigan) for $5-$6 per square.

So 2,000 square feet at $6 = $12,000 per year, $1,000 per month. If you offer 1 month rent, plus utilites (hopefully they are on) with a cleaning and damage retainer you should be in the ballpark.

Likewise, 10,000 square feet at $2 = $20,000 per year, $1,800 per month.

Retail and Class A Office space runs from $16 per square to $25 to $30 per square or more here.


A "NNN" lease, or triple-Net, means that you pay taxes, utilities, and maintenance. Obviously you are not going to want to get into that with a short use agreement, but just FYI.

Most commercial property is represented by professional firms. There should be a number of major databases for the area that you could browse online. If you find a likely one, you might introduce yourself to the broker and try to get friendly with him/her. M

Most larger owners aren't going to want to bother with you, but if the broker buys into what you are doing, they might be willing to handle the client and take care of the legalities for you, just because it is a cool project.

Any redeeming social/community service values to teh shoot? You might get local help to pull it off.

Michigan had big incentives - 40% - for filiming here until recently. The local film boards would jump through hoops to help. They helped secure a 1860's historic building that was going to be burned by the local fire deparartment for a week for "Cedar Rapids" (the night scene where the fights occur.) That is about 2 miles from my house here. Now long gone.

Good luck!
Michael
 
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