2800 E Dunes Hwy
Gary, IN 46402
Property For Lease

Expansive interior of the former Republic Steel mill, showcasing steel-frame construction and high clear heights. 2800 E. Dunes Highway is a substantial industrial facility encompassing ˜264,093 square feet under roof on approximately 20 acres of land. Formerly a manufacturing hub for Republic Steel, the property offers a robust industrial infrastructure that can be leveraged for modern manufacturing, processing, or logistics uses. Key highlights include 15 megawatts of available power from onsite substation (suitable for energy-intensive operations), active rail spur connectivity to mainline rail (critical for bulk material shipping), and M-3 Heavy Industrial zoning which permits a wide array of uses. The expansive building can be efficiently reconfigured for single or multi-tenant use, making it suitable for a leased industrial and manufacturing campus, warehouse, distribution hub, data center or other use. Ready for activation or redevelopment. The property’s scale and infrastructure present a unique chance to onshore manufacturing operations and avoid global supply chain tariffs. Historical Legacy Meets Modern Utility: • Originally constructed by Republic Steel, a pillar of U.S. industrial might. • Ideal for companies looking to onshore production and avoid global tariffs. • Ideal for fast tracking expansion of US manufacturing, warehouse, logistics or data center use. • Substantial opportunity for redevelopment or tenant-specific customization. • Pro-business environment with potential incentives from the City of Gary and State of Indiana. • Expedite “Made in America” operations Key Highlights: • Total Floor Area: ~264,093 SF of flexible, open industrial space now available for lease. • Zoning: M-3 Heavy Industrial Use permitted. • Site Area: ~20 Acres. • Structure: Steel-frame construction, high bays, large column spacing. • Ceiling Height: ~30’+ with craneway throughout multiple sections. • Crane Systems: Overhead cranes and heavy floor loads support large-scale operations. • Power: Access to 15 MW via existing substation infrastructure. • Rail Access: On-site spur with Class 1 rail infrastructure. • Transportation: Direct access to NW Indiana logistics corridor via I-65, I-94, I-80 and Chicago Metro • Global Shipping: Minutes from Port of Indiana (global waterway) • Prime Onshoring Opportunity in strategic Midwest location Strategic Location: • Multimodal Transport Access: Adjacent rail spur with Class 1 rail access and close proximity to Port of Indiana – Burns Harbor (approx. 8 miles), providing global shipping links via Lake Michigan. Easy highway access to I-90/94 and I-65 enables efficient trucking to Chicago and nationwide. • Strategic Location: Positioned in Gary’s industrial corridor on the Lake Michigan shoreline (the historic heart of U.S. steel country), the site benefits from a strong labor pool and supplier network in Northwest Indiana. It lies within the Chicago metro area for convenient access to markets and talent. Transformation & Activation Opportunity: The property’s scale and infrastructure present a unique chance to onshore manufacturing operations and avoid global supply chain tariffs. Efficiently activate this historic industrial mill into a state-of-the-art production facility capitalizing on existing rail and power infrastructure. The expansive building can be efficiently reconfigured for single or multi-tenant use, making it suitable for a leased industrial and manufacturing campus, warehouse, distribution hub, data center or other use. Ready for activation or redevelopment. Site Specifications: Building Area: Approximately 264,093 square feet (single-story). The building is currently in shell condition, allowing a user to outfit it to specific requirements. Significant portions of the roof and walls are in place, and the interior is primarily clear span space with minimal supporting offices (which can be built-out or removed as needed). Site Area: ~20 acres (˜ 871,200 SF) of land. The expansive yard can accommodate laydown areas, outdoor storage, or additional structures. There is ample room for truck courts, trailer parking, and railcar staging. The site’s footprint also offers potential for rail loop expansion or adding a spur for unit train access if required by heavy rail users. Power & Utilities: 15 MW (15,000 kW) electric power capacity on site, fed by a dedicated substation capable of heavy industrial load. This high electrical capacity is a standout feature (far exceeding typical warehouse power) and can support energy-intensive processes such as arc furnaces, large-scale fabrication, or crypto mining data centers. Water, gas, and sewer services are available at industrial volumes/pressures, given the property’s past use in steel production. The facility could also be a candidate for renewable energy integration (e.g., rooftop solar or private substation upgrades) to further enhance power reliability and reduce long-term energy costs. Loading & Rail: Multiple grade-level doors and high-bay openings exist for truck loading/unloading, and additional dock-high loading bays can be installed during redevelopment (the structure allows for knock-out panel installation). The property’s rail spur enters the site along the eastern boundary, with space to spot multiple railcars on-site. Class A rail service (with connections to national rail lines) means bulk materials can be delivered directly to the building, a rare feature for many industrial properties. This can dramatically lower the transportation cost for raw materials (steel, aggregates, etc.) or bulk product shipments. Ceiling Height: Predominantly high bay industrial space; exact clear heights vary but much of the building offers 30’+ clearance at the center (with crane rails mounted at approximately 25’ height). This is sufficient for overhead crane operation and installation of mezzanines or tall racking systems if used for warehousing. The structural steel frame can support heavy roof-mounted equipment or additional craneways as needed. Construction: Industrial-grade construction – steel framing with metal panel and masonry exterior walls. The foundations are reinforced concrete, engineered to bear extremely heavy loads (previously supporting steel mill machinery). Sections of the building have clerestory windows and vents from the mill days, providing opportunity for adding modern translucent panels or HVAC systems for a climate-controlled environment. Overall, the structure is sound, ready for retrofit, and far faster to adapt than a ground-up equivalent (with demolition of obsolete portions as an option to create more open yard or new construction area).