Guarulhos Attracting Major Companies, Emerging as a Leading Logistics Hub in Brazil
- Guarulhos holds the second-largest concentration of logistics developments in Brazil
- Inventory will grow with the addition of the new Bricklog Guarulhos asset
Guarulhos is one of Brazil's key logistics hubs. Located about 20 km from São Paulo, the region hosts 2.2 million square meters of industrial facilities spanning Classes A+, A, and B. It ranks as the second-largest area in terms of constructed square meters in the country, according to monitoring from the Market Analytics platform by SiiLA.
One of the reasons Guarulhos has become a logistics center is its robust road and airport infrastructure. The city is home to Brazil's largest international airport, André Franco Montoro International Airport, the Guarulhos Airport. While São Paulo is known for its corporate buildings and skyscrapers, Guarulhos is considered the logistics capital. Key highways crossing the city include Presidente Dutra, Fernão Dias, Ayrton Senna, Helio Smidt, and Juvenal Ponciano de Camargos.
With a vacancy rate of 7.1% across all industrial properties classes (A+, A, and B), the region’s largest inventory is in premium assets, with 1.4 million m² of Class A+ properties. Notable examples are GLP Guarulhos I and II, which together offer 936,000 m² of gross leasable area (GLA).
The region’s largest tenants are consumer goods companies, representing 37.9% of all leases, followed by transportation and logistics companies at 30.4%.
The four largest occupants are e-commerce and retail companies: Shein, Mercado Livre, Magalu, and Riachuelo, respectively.
According to Nelson Teixeira, Business Development Manager at Brick Capital, Guarulhos has benefited from its proximity to São Paulo and the expansion of e-commerce. Additionally, property owners have capitalized on the region’s infrastructure, consolidating it as a strong logistics market.
“Demand for industrial facilities near major urban centers has steadily grown since the pandemic, driven largely by the rise of e-commerce and the need for improved services. Beyond proximity to end consumers, factors such as power supply, availability of skilled labor, housing, and timelines for obtaining permits are crucial to the viability of new developments", Teixeira explains.
Growth and Development
According to the Gestão Urbana portal of the Guarulhos City Hall, the metro system has begun preliminary work on the 19-Celeste line. This will be the city's first metro line, featuring five stations. The city also has a CPTM commuter rail line.
Guarulhos continues to attract significant industrial investments. United Airlines, for example, has announced plans to build a new warehouse at Guarulhos Airport, with an investment of R$ 1.3 billion.
In addition to the airline, over 900,000 m² of new developments are expected by the end of 2025, including Bricklog Guarulhos, which is set for delivery in December 2024.
“In this context, Guarulhos stands out as a strategic city offering infrastructure and conditions conducive to logistics asset development. We are excited about the progress of Bricklog Guarulhos, a project that reflects this potential and will further strengthen the sector in the region,” says Teixeira.
The development by RBR Asset Management and Brick Capital will be one of the most modern assets in the region, spanning 105,000 m². The A+ facility will be located near the Presidente Dutra highway and the Tietê Ecological Park.
