Amazon expands Midwest presence with 1.1 million-SF Olathe facility

Amazon has finalized the purchase of a 1.1 million-square-foot warehouse at the northwest corner of 175th Street and Hedge Lane, strengthening the company’s regional logistics network in the Kansas City metropolitan area.

The new facility, announced Oct. 20, 2025, is among the largest industrial properties in Johnson County. Strategically positioned near major highways and freight routes, the site will serve as a key hub for fulfillment and distribution operations, enhancing Amazon’s ability to meet growing consumer demand across the Midwest.

City and county leaders view the project as a major investment that will bring jobs, infrastructure upgrades, and increased visibility to Olathe’s expanding industrial corridor. Economic development officials collaborated with Amazon to identify and secure the site, citing its accessibility and room for continued growth.

While specific details of Amazon’s operational plans have not been disclosed, similar large-scale facilities typically support hundreds of full-time roles, along with seasonal and contract positions. Local officials emphasized that the project aligns with ongoing efforts to attract high-capacity logistics users and diversify the region’s economic base.

The facility’s scale and location underscore Olathe’s emergence as a distribution hub within the Kansas City market, complementing other major developments along the 175th Street corridor. Construction and site improvements are expected to progress in phases before the building becomes fully operational.

Amazon’s investment marks another step in the company’s continued push to expand its national network, positioning large-format fulfillment centers closer to key population centers for faster, more efficient delivery.

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Header image 175th Steet Commerce Center in Olathe, Kan. Photo | McClure

Lanter lifts Hunt Midwest’s 3PL footprint to more than 1 million square feet

Lanter Distributing LLC has expanded and consolidated its regional warehouse and distribution operations into a 126,000-square feet facility in Hunt Midwest SubTropolis. The Madison, Ill.-based refrigerated LTL and trucking company provides freight consolidation, distribution and deliveries to retail and wholesale customers throughout the Midwest and southern half of the U.S.

“Time and again, companies from a wide range of industries - including third party logistics, animal health and automotive upfitters - perform their due diligence and ultimately choose SubTropolis for its location, efficiency, and value proposition,” said Hunt Midwest President and CEO Ora Reynolds.

Lanter’s expansion brings Hunt Midwest’s total logistics footprint to well over one million square feet, with a total of eight 3PL companies operating in either SubTropolis or Hunt Midwest Business Center, according to Mike Bell, Hunt Midwest vice president of commercial development.

“We are seeing a ‘cluster effect’ of 3PL companies in SubTropolis and our surface business park, Hunt Midwest Business Center,” Bell said. “These companies are looking for access to labor and logistics to fuel their growth.”

Additional 3PL tenants include Advanced Logistics Fulfillment (ALF), American Central Transport (ACT), FW Warehousing, Ground Freight Expeditors, Hallmark Cards, Paris Brothers, and Rossi Motor Freight.

“The ability to quickly and easily scale operations is often top-of-mind for growing companies, and we are able to deliver space in SubTropolis in a timely manner because there are no weather delays or lengthy permitting processes,” Bell added.

Lanter initially leased 21,000 square feet in SubTropolis for dry and refrigerated warehouse and distribution space in 2012. According to Lanter Distributing Vice President Ryan Behrmann, SubTropolis is ideally suited to the company’s requirement for dry and refrigerated storage facilities.

“The customized space, combined with the central location, enables Lanter to continue to provide customers with an industry-leading, cost-efficient, multi-temperature logistics solution while offering on-time deliveries and exceptional service,” Behrmann said. “We look forward to continuing our relationship with Hunt Midwest and growing our business within SubTropolis.”