If you’re looking to invest in commercial real estate, you’ve got a wide array of options to choose from.

With the ongoing digitalization of services, data centers are in high demand.

Within the broad categories of residential, retail, office, and industrial are dozens of special-purpose property types that could offer great income-producing potential for solo investors. Here, we’ll offer 25 that are a little further off the beaten path:

1. Arcades
   They attract a range of age groups and can be profitable through coin-operated games and food and drink sales, particularly in tourist areas or large malls.
2. Bowling Alleys
   These can offer multiple revenue streams, not only from bowling but also from food and beverage sales, league activities, and special events.
3. Cold Storage Facilities
   As these facilities are vital for food and pharmaceutical storage and transport, investing in one could yield substantial returns, especially given the rise in online grocery shopping.
4. Coworking Spaces
   In an increasingly digital world, these spaces provide flexible office solutions for freelancers and startups, creating a steady source of income from membership dues.
5. Data Centers
   With the ongoing digitalization of services, these facilities are in high demand for storing and managing data, potentially offering high rental income from corporate clients.
6. Distribution Centers
   These facilities play a crucial role in supply chain operations, and with the e-commerce boom, they offer a promising opportunity for consistent rental income.
7. E-Commerce Warehouses
   With online retail continuing to rise, these facilities offer critical storage and distribution space, making them a potential source of steady rental income.
8. Food Truck Meetup Venues
   A venue designed for food truck meetups offers a unique investment opportunity, attracting diverse customers and benefiting from the growing popularity of mobile food services.
9. Greenhouses
   As the demand for year-round, locally grown produce increases, these structures offer profitable opportunities in both the wholesale and retail plant business.
10. Hangars
    These structures used for storing aircraft can provide reliable profit from rentals in areas with private or small airports.
11. Kennels
    With the growing pet industry, these pet-boarding facilities can provide a consistent revenue stream, especially in areas with high pet ownership.
12. Light Industrial Flex Spaces
    Combining office and industrial space, these properties cater to businesses needing both, which could result in diverse and stable tenants.
13. Marinas
    These dock facilities generate returns through boat storage, rentals, and maintenance services, making them potentially profitable in areas with a strong boating culture.
14. Micro Apartments
    These small, urban residences cater to young professionals and students, potentially offering steady rental income due to housing demand in city centers.
15. Music Studios
    In demand by both professional musicians and amateurs, these spaces can provide steady rental income and serve as hubs for creative communities.
16. Outdoor Music Venues
    A music venue provides an attractive investment prospect, hosting concerts and events that draw music enthusiasts, generating revenue from ticket sales and concessions.
17. Popup Retail Spaces
    These flexible commercial spaces cater to businesses seeking short-term leases, offering opportunities for higher per-square-foot rents and a constantly rotating array of interesting tenants.
18. R&D Labs
    These spaces cater to high-tech and scientific industries, offering potential for high rental income from corporate and institutional tenants in these growing sectors.
19. RV Parks
    As road travel and domestic tourism increase, these parks offer a steady revenue stream from lot rentals, along with potential income from ancillary services.
20. Solar Farms
    These properties generate income by selling the harvested solar energy to the power grid, capitalizing on the global shift toward renewable energy sources.
21. Sports Complexes
    Hosting sporting events, league play, or tournaments, these facilities can generate consistent gains from ticket sales, concessions, and sponsorship deals.
22. Stables
    Providing boarding, riding lessons, and other equestrian services can make these facilities profitable, particularly in areas with a strong interest in horse riding.
23. Student Apartments
    Located near colleges or universities, these properties cater to a steady rental market, offering consistent occupancy and potential for rental income growth.
24. Vertical Farms
    Vertical farming offers an innovative investment avenue, allowing for efficient cultivation of crops in urban areas, meeting the increasing demand for locally sourced, fresh produce.
25. Wellness Retreat Centers
    As wellness tourism grows, these facilities offer potential for high-income retreat packages, capitalizing on the trend towards health, relaxation, and personal growth.

Own Your Financial Future

When you’re ready to take the next step into the realm of commercial real estate, consult your financial institution.