Your garage stopped being a garage two years ago. The basement looks like a distribution center, and everything you find for lease is either too big (5,000+ sq ft you do not need) or too limited (a storage unit with no power and no loading access).
Minneapolis–St. Paul has real options for small businesses that need 200 to 2,000 sq ft of working warehouse space. Here is who uses it, what to look for, where to find it, and what it costs.
Minneapolis–St. Paul warehouse space at a glance
- WareSpace buildings
- Eden Prairie & St. Paul Midway
- Unit sizes
- 200-2,000 sq ft
- Climate control
- Heated and cooled, included
- All-inclusive rate
- Starting at $1,000/mo, one flat rate
- Lease terms
- Flexible, 6 to 12 months
Who Uses Small Warehouse Space in the Twin Cities
- Contractors and trades. Minnesota has 143,000 construction jobs, up 10% since 2020. Electricians, plumbers, HVAC techs, and GCs need space for tools, materials, and vehicle parking. Typical: 300 to 800 sq ft solo, 800 to 1,500 sq ft for crews. See our contractor warehouse guidance.
- Medical device and life sciences. The Twin Cities is “Medical Alley,” the top health-tech cluster in the world. Component suppliers and quality-testing labs supporting Medtronic, Boston Scientific, and Abbott need clean, climate-controlled space. Typical: 500 to 1,500 sq ft.
- Light manufacturing and assembly. Minnesota has 7,085 manufacturers. Small-scale production and fabrication that has outgrown the garage workshop. Typical: 500 to 2,000 sq ft.
- Food processing and distribution. Home to General Mills, Cargill, Land O’Lakes, and Hormel. Specialty processors and distributors need climate control and loading access. Typical: 400 to 1,500 sq ft.
- Service businesses with equipment. Event, rental, restoration, and cleaning companies that work in the field but need a secure base. Typical: 300 to 1,500 sq ft.
What to Look For in Twin Cities Warehouse Space
- Size flexibility. Look for terms that let you size up or down with 30 to 60 days’ notice, so you are not stuck at 500 sq ft when you need 800.
- Loading dock access. Non-negotiable if you receive pallets or move heavy equipment. Drive-in docks work for box trucks; standard docks handle semis.
- Climate control. Minnesota swings from -20°F to 90°F+. Uncontrolled space becomes a freezer from November through March. For electronics, medical components, or food, climate control is mandatory.
- Power and electrical capacity. Confirm amperage before signing if you run 220V equipment. Ask how many amps per unit and who pays for upgrades.
- Security. 24/7 key-card or code access, cameras in common areas, individual unit locks, and on-site management.
- Shared amenities. Conference rooms, kitchen, restrooms, and included WiFi add real convenience and save setup cost.
Minneapolis–St. Paul Neighborhoods
| Submarket | Best for | Cost positioning |
|---|---|---|
| Eden Prairie / Golden Triangle | Western suburbs, medical device, premier address | Premium, modern, I-494 / Hwy 212 access |
| St. Paul Midway | Whole-metro reach, central positioning | Moderate, equidistant to both downtowns |
| Bloomington | Heavy shipping, air cargo | Competitive, under 10 min to MSP |
| Northeast Minneapolis | Creative and maker businesses | Premium, lowest vacancy (3.3%), scarce |
WareSpace Minneapolis–St. Paul operates two buildings: Eden Prairie (7500 Golden Triangle Dr) on the I-494 corridor, and St. Paul Midway (801 Transfer Road) for central metro positioning.
What Small Warehouse Space Costs in the Twin Cities
Traditional small-bay base rent runs roughly $250 to $400/mo for 200 to 400 sq ft, up to $1,200 to $1,700/mo base for 1,500 to 2,000 sq ft, before NNN, CAM, and winter utility spikes. Add 30 to 40% for those pass-through costs, plus $2,000 to $5,000 upfront for equipment and a 3 to 5 year commitment.
All-inclusive co-warehousing starts at $1,000/mo and includes climate control (with heat, which matters in Minnesota), loading docks, equipment, WiFi, conference rooms, flexible 6 to 12 month terms, and no surprise bills. For how to right-size your unit, see our guide to choosing the perfect warehouse size.
Heat and everything else, included
Trade the garage for a climate-controlled Twin Cities unit
WareSpace Minneapolis–St. Paul offers 200 to 2,000 sq ft climate-controlled units in Eden Prairie and St. Paul Midway, with all-inclusive pricing starting at $1,000/mo, loading docks, racking, WiFi, and flexible 6 to 12 month leases. Everything is included, including winter heat.
Traditional Lease vs. Co-Warehousing
Choose a traditional lease if you are confident about needing 1,000+ sq ft for 3+ years, operate on razor-thin margins, are comfortable managing facilities and vendors, have steady year-round needs, and already own equipment. Choose co-warehousing if your space needs are changing, you are seasonal, you want to avoid $3,000 to $5,000 in upfront capital, you value your time over managing repairs, or it is your first commercial space and you want a professional setup on day one.
Minneapolis–St. Paul Warehouse FAQ
What is the smallest warehouse space I can rent in the Twin Cities?
Most traditional spaces start at 1,000 to 2,000 sq ft. Co-warehousing facilities like WareSpace offer units as small as 200 sq ft, ideal for solo contractors or businesses just leaving a home base.
Can I run a business from a Minneapolis warehouse?
Usually yes in industrial-zoned space, but check zoning and lease restrictions, since some landlords limit retail, client visits, or certain manufacturing.
Why is climate control so important in Minnesota?
Temperatures swing from -20°F to 90°F+. Without climate control, your space follows the outdoor temperature and becomes a freezer for months, damaging products and equipment.
How long are warehouse leases in the Twin Cities?
Traditional leases typically require 3 to 5 years. Co-warehousing facilities offer flexible 6 to 12 month terms with the ability to adjust size.
Find Twin Cities Warehouse Space at WareSpace
WareSpace Minneapolis–St. Paul offers climate-controlled small warehouse units from 200 to 2,000 sq ft with all-inclusive pricing starting at $1,000/mo, loading docks, industrial racking, WiFi, conference rooms, and 24/7 access, in Eden Prairie and St. Paul Midway. Book a tour or get an instant price estimate.
