Stone Martin Commercial has wrapped up construction on its first ground-up commercial development—a milestone that marks the company’s formal expansion into the nonresidential construction sector. The $1.8 million industrial warehouse, located in Opelika, Alabama, reflects a growing trend among residential builders seeking diversification amid market uncertainty.

The project, dubbed the Wyndham Industrial Warehouse, spans 18,000 square feet and features 18-foot ceilings, one dock-high door with a designated loading zone, and four drive-in, grade-level doors. According to a May 14 announcement shared with Construction Dive, the facility was built for Atlanta Flooring Design Centers and took roughly six months to complete.

“This project represents a significant step for Stone Martin Commercial as we expand our capabilities into the commercial sector,” said Drew Brown, vice president of commercial construction at Stone Martin Commercial. Brown founded the division in 2024 with a focus on nonresidential renovation work in the Opelika area, including the development of a new headquarters for the company’s parent firm.

Stone Martin Commercial operates as a division of Stone Martin Builders, a homebuilding company founded in 2006 and based in Opelika. In 2025, Stone Martin Builders ranked No. 76 on the Builder 100 list of top home builders nationwide, with 806 homes sold and $333 million in revenue reported for 2024. The firm’s residential portfolio spans Alabama and Georgia, but its recent move into commercial development signals broader ambitions.

The company’s commercial push comes at a time when more residential builders are exploring new markets. In August 2024, Charleston-based Greystar—ranked as the largest multifamily owner, developer, and manager in the U.S.—announced plans to enter the infrastructure development arena, citing long-term growth opportunities outside traditional housing.

Economic headwinds, including concerns over tariffs and the rising cost of construction materials, have placed pressure on home builders in recent months. Builder sentiment has remained subdued, with confidence in the market for new single-family homes hovering below the midpoint threshold.

“Policy uncertainty is having a negative impact on home builders, making it difficult for them to accurately price homes and make critical business decisions,” said Robert Dietz, chief economist at the National Association of Home Builders, in an April release.

The NAHB’s latest Housing Market Index showed builder confidence rose slightly to 40 in April, up from the previous month. Still, any score below 50 indicates that more builders view conditions as poor rather than good.

Stone Martin Commercial’s successful completion of its first new-build commercial structure comes against this challenging backdrop—and may offer a model for other residential firms considering similar transitions.

Originally reported by Zachary Phillips in Construction Dive.