Case Study
Corporate HQ Relocation & Expansion – Applied Optoelectronics Inc. (AOI)
Applied Optoelectronics Inc. (AOI) – Blue Ridge Commerce Center | Missouri City, Texas
The Challenge:
When Applied Optoelectronics Inc. sought to accelerate its Texas manufacturing and logistics footprint, the company required a large-scale industrial facility capable of supporting immediate occupancy, future expansion, and specialized operational needs.
Sam Chang, representing AOI, successfully secured a 153,928-square-foot facility at Blue Ridge Commerce Center, a premier Class A industrial development by Trammell Crow Company in Missouri City, Texas.
The Client Objectives:
- High-quality industrial space with modern specifications
- Strategic proximity to Houston labor pools and transportation corridors
- Flexibility for office, warehousing, and light manufacturing uses
- Long-term expansion optionality
- A transaction structure aligned with future ownership goals
The Strategy:
- Negotiated a 130-month lease term providing occupancy stability
- Secured five months of initial rent abatement
- Obtained permitted use rights for light assembly and manufacturing, including printed circuit boards, PCB assemblies, and semiconductor-related operations
- Negotiated a purchase option priced at approximately $30.2 million
- Provided flexibility for AOI’s selected architect and contractor for improvements
The Result:
AOI secured a mission-critical facility within one of Houston’s most active industrial corridors, strengthening its manufacturing footprint during a major corporate expansion initiative.
The lease positioned AOI to continue scaling Texas operations as leadership announced plans to significantly increase manufacturing square footage over the next two years.
Why This Matters
This assignment demonstrates Sam Chang’s ability to advise sophisticated corporate users requiring more than standard warehouse space. By combining lease negotiation, expansion strategy, and ownership optionality, clients are positioned for long-term success.
Looking to acquire a strategic industrial property? Contact Sam Chang, Partner and Commercial Real Estate Advisor, for expert representation in industrial, office, and investment transactions.