While the Adirondacks can be a one-time vacation destination for some, those who continue to visit or live in the region seek all the benefits the Adirondack lifestyle has to offer. With over 6 million acres of protected land, year-round tourism, and a growing remote-work population, the Adirondack region offers one of the most unique commercial investment opportunities in New York. With so many diverse opportunities, you may be left wondering, what is the best type of commercial property to invest in here?
The answer varies between investors and depends on investment goals which could span long-term appreciation, seasonal upside, or development potential. Seeking advice from trusted real estate professionals who deeply understand the local economy is key before making an investment decision. At Adirondack Premier Properties, we live and work in the area we love, and can offer clients insights on potential commercial investment opportunities. Based on current market performance and long-term trends, here are our insights on the strongest commercial investment categories in the Adirondacks.
Best Type of Commercial Property to Invest in for Adirondack Buyers
1. Hospitality Properties (Top Performer for ROI Potential)
Best for: Investors seeking strong seasonal cash flow and long-term appreciation.
Many Adirondack communities are very tourism-based leading to some potentially gainful opportunities in hospitality properties. Areas like Lake Placid, Lake George, Saranac Lake, Old Forge and Tupper Lake see periods throughout the year with a major influx in tourism. Lake Placid and Lake George offer the most focused resort style communities. With the influxes in tourism, housing is always a consistent need as visitors seek to experience everything the Adirondacks has to offer, including:
- Summer enjoyment of lakes and waterways
- Fall foliage viewing and explorations
- Winter skiing and snowmobiling
- Year-round hiking and outdoor recreation
High-Demand Hospitality Assets:
- Boutique inns
- Small motels
- Waterfront resorts
- Short-term rental lodges
- Glamping or cabin resorts
Why this works: When visitors search for accommodations in the Adirondacks, they look for peace and serenity as well as unique and experience driven lodging. Recently, we have seen that smaller boutique properties often outperform larger, outdated motels because travelers are looking for charm, location and character as well as a feeling of being home. Similar to the Air BnB explosion, these boutique properties provide the perfect mixture of a home and a hotel.
Investor Tip: As you are beginning your search of properties and consider best type of commercial property to invest in, focus on properties near lakes, ski areas, or walkable downtowns. These areas consistently command premium rates and higher occupancy.
2. Mixed-Use Buildings in Village Centers (Strong, Stable Play)
Best for: Investors who want diversified income streams and reduced risk.
Village mixed-use properties with retail on the ground floor and apartments above are some of the most reliable assets in the Adirondacks. Housing is always a need throughout our region of the Adirondacks. Whether it is full-time residents looking for apartments or visitors seeking to make this area their new home, demand is always high, especially if the pricing is right.
Popular Villages Include:
- Lake Placid
- Saranac Lake
- Lake George Village
- Glens Falls
- Ticonderoga
Why Mixed-Use Performs Well:
- Residential units provide year-round income.
- Retail benefits from tourist traffic.
- Risk is spread across multiple tenants.
- Strong appreciation in walkable downtowns.
As more people relocate for lifestyle change and remote work, village housing demand continues to rise. If you are planning on keeping the housing full, research the area and different communities to understanding what current rates for apartments are. Much of the workforce throughout the region is in the hospitality industry, so pricing apartments like you would in major metro hubs can leave your apartment empty. As you choose between options of best type of commercial property to invest in, keep in mind steady income is better than no income.
3. Short-Term Rental–Approved Multi-Family
Best for: Investors seeking flexible income strategies.
With the growth of Air Bnb and VRBO, the amount of short term rentals has also grown to new heights. The significant increase in the number of STR properties has affected housing availability in many communities leading to a shortage of affordable housing for full time residents. As more communities experience these shortages, new local regulations have been added to limit the amount, areas or even days that a property can be rented. With this in mind, do your research to identify which Adirondack towns still allow short-term rentals (with permits) or have more relaxed regulations currently. A duplex, triplex, or small multi-family property can generate:
- Seasonal Airbnb income
- Long-term winter leases
- Hybrid rental strategies
Again, this can be a little more of a risky play as communities continue to build out rules and regulations, so do your due diligence to complete thorough research as regulations can vary widely from one community to the next.
Opportunity Insight: As you are search for properties and work on choosing the best type of commercial property to invest in, focus on those that are within walking distance to lakes or villages. In more rural locations, seek properties close to outdoor recreation opportunities around the region. Properties that are closer to the village center will generally preform better than rural properties due to accessibility and ease of life for renters.
4. Storage & Light Industrial (Underrated but Consistent)
Best for: Lower-risk, steady cash flow investors.
One thing that will always be in demand is space that benefits both residents as well as commercial businesses. Properties like self-storage and light industrial buildings near population centers in the Adirondack region can be an ideal investment opportunity. Larger areas like Glens Falls or Plattsburgh often provide a more stable, year-round demand with higher populations. There are also some hidden gem areas throughout the region that are missing these services and could be a ripe place to invest.
Why invest?
- Seasonal residents need storage.
- Contractors and trades require workshop space.
- Growing local businesses need warehouse options.
These properties often have:
- Lower management intensity
- Longer tenant stays
- Less seasonal volatility
This investment strategy can be perfect for those looking to have a lower maintenance investment that is also a lower risk. This type of space is always in demand, especially if it is winterized and secure.
5. Waterfront Commercial Properties (Premium Long-Term Appreciation)
Best for: Investors focused on long-term wealth building.
Another of our choices for best type of commercial property to invest in is waterfront properties. Various waterfront properties like marinas, lakefront inns, restaurants, or retail are usually in high demand because shorelines are limited. These properties coming on the market can be rare, so expect premium pricing when they do. While some of these ventures may be more focused on warmer months of the year, especially in the marina sector, limited shoreline inventory will allow the property to continue holding value. Supply is fixed and demand is growing.
While entry costs are higher, appreciation historically outpaces inland properties due to scarcity.
What to Avoid & Next Steps for Commercial Investors
Not All Commercial Property Types Perform Equally in the Adirondacks
Be cautious with:
- Large office buildings (limited demand)
- Big-box retail (seasonal fluctuations + e-commerce competition)
- Overbuilt hospitality in secondary markets
Success in this region requires understanding seasonality, zoning restrictions and Adirondack Park Agency (APA) regulations, and local economic drivers. Additionally, many Adirondack communities like having a focus on locally owned business, so big-box retail and larger commercial businesses may be pushed out by the community as a whole.
Deciding on the “Best” Investment
If we had to narrow it down:
Top Cash Flow Potential: Boutique hospitality in a high-tourism village
Best Balanced Investment: Mixed-use in a walkable downtown
Most Stable Year-Round Asset: Self-storage or light industrial
Best Long-Term Appreciation: Waterfront commercial property
The Adirondacks reward investors who understand its lifestyle-driven economy. Among options for best type of commercial property to invest in, properties that serve tourism, recreation, and community-centered living consistently outperform generic commercial assets.
Next Steps for Investing in the Adirondacks
At BHHS Adirondack Premier Properties, we specialize in Adirondack commercial real estate. With our office located in one of the most robust resort communities in the Adirondacks, we have a strong knowledge of regional commercial real estate from lakefront properties to village mixed-use buildings and development opportunities.
If you’re considering investing and weighing your options for best type of commercial property to invest in, we’d be happy to discuss:
- Current cap rates
- Zoning and APA considerations
- Short-term rental regulations
- Potential opportunites around the region
The Adirondacks aren’t just a place to invest, they’re a place where people choose to live and make return visits to year after year. Between returning tourism and strong local presence, investing in the right commercial property here can be a powerful addition to your portfolio.
If you are ready to start your search for your next investment opportunity, contact our team to explore available commercial opportunities across the Adirondack Park. Call us at 518-523-3333 today!