Industrial real estate dynamics across the Western U.S. took center stage at Connect Industrial West 2026, where a series of on-camera conversations explored how the sector is evolving in early 2026. Filmed in Irvine, the discussions focused on the interplay between leasing fundamentals and an increasingly active capital markets backdrop.
Eddie Prosser, COO of Thorofare Capital, described an industrial market that is moving into a recovery phase. He noted that fundamentals across the industrial asset class are improving, with new leasing absorption emerging across multiple parts of Southern California. According to Prosser, activity is evident in the Inland Empire as well as in LA County, where occupier demand is helping to reset expectations following a more challenging period for the sector.
Prosser also highlighted a shift on the capital side. He observed that more capital is moving into industrial, with investors actively pursuing new opportunities. That competition for deals is influencing pricing, with values being pushed higher as capital deployment accelerates. At the same time, Prosser said the cost of debt is moving lower, pointing to a more accommodating financing environment for qualified sponsors targeting Western industrial properties.
The video segment, produced by Connect CRE at the conference, brings together perspectives from several industry professionals working across capital, legal, ownership, and finance roles. Alongside Prosser, viewers hear from Ken Fields, a partner with Greenberg Glusker; Julian Freeman, a partner with Cox, Castle & Nicholson; Joe Vargas, president of Wonderful Real Estate; and Andy Bratt, a principal with Gantry.
Each participant offers viewpoints framed by their respective positions in the industrial ecosystem. The group addresses how current conditions in Western markets, particularly in Southern California, are shaping investment strategies, transaction structures, and risk assessments. While the conversations center on broad themes rather than individual transactions, they collectively underscore the importance of understanding how leasing absorption and capital availability are evolving together.
Captured earlier this month, the Connect Industrial West 2026 footage is intended to give owners, investors, lenders, and advisors a concise snapshot of sentiment among active market participants. For stakeholders following industrial performance in Southern California, the Inland Empire, and LA County, the video provides direct commentary on how practitioners are interpreting the latest movements in fundamentals and capital flows as 2026 progresses.
