The REALOGIS Group, Germany’s leading consulting firm for industrial and logistics real estate as well as commercial properties, registered take-up of around 1.52 million m² in the 1st half of 2026 in the top 8 locations it has defined. Berlin, Düsseldorf, Cologne, the Ruhr area, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Munich and Stuttgart were considered. Of this, 1.38 million m² or 91% was pure hall space, 89,050 m² (6%) office space and 54,950 m² (3%) mezzanine space. The Ruhr region contributed the largest share of the total result with 255,500 m² or 17%. Frankfurt accounted for 245,400 m² (16%), Berlin reached 211,000 m² (14%).
Rents: Munich remained in the lead, Hamburg rose the most
Prime rents in the 1st half of 2026 showed a largely stable picture. At three of the eight top locations, prime rents rose compared to the same period last year. The highest prime rent continued to be achieved in Munich. At €13.50/m², it remained unchanged compared to the same period last year. This interrupted the upward trend that has existed since 2022. In the same period of the previous year, the prime rent had risen by around 29% compared to the 1st half of 2024.
Berlin once again ranked second with an unchanged €10.50/m². Frankfurt and Stuttgart followed with €8.70/m² each. While the prime rent in Frankfurt rose by 5% in a half-year comparison, the strongest among all top locations, it rose by only 2% in Stuttgart. Hamburg reached €8.50/m² and recorded an increase of 1%. At all other top locations, the prime rent remained unchanged compared to the same period last year. The lowest prime rent was still achieved in the Ruhr area at €7.75/m².
In terms of average rents, Munich maintained its top position at €9.20/m². The rent level there rose moderately by 2%. Berlin followed suit with an unchanged €8.10/m², while Hamburg moved up to third place with €7.30/m². The increase of 12% was the strongest increase among the top locations considered. All other locations remained unchanged in their average rent. The lowest average rent continued to be achieved in the Ruhr area at €6.50/m².
Types of contracts and property types: Leases and big-box space dominated the market
Leases accounted for the majority of take-up in the top 8 markets in the 1st half of 2026. A total of 1.47 million m² or 97% was taken up by tenants. Owner-occupiers accounted for 50,400 m² (3%).
In terms of property types, big-box spaces dominated the market. It accounted for 846,200 m², or 56% of total take-up. Properties that were not allocated to big-box space or business parks accounted for the second-highest share at 479,300 m² (31%). Business parks reached 194,300 m² (13%), making them the smallest segment.
Industries: Logistics/freight forwarding remains the strongest user group
The largest space buyers at the top 8 locations in the 1st half of 2026 were companies from the logistics/freight forwarding industry. They accounted for 691,300 m² or 45% of total take-up.
Industry/production followed at a considerable distance, coming to 377,100 m² (25%). Trading followed with 331,800 m² (22%). Within retail, e-commerce accounted for the largest share of retail space take-up, accounting for 229,350 m² (69%). Classical retail accounted for 102,450 m² (31%). The “Other” category brought up the rear with 119,600 m² (8%).
Size classes: Large areas from 10,001 m² dominated the market
Large spaces of 10,001 m² or more dominated the market in the top 8 locations in the 1st half of 2026. They accounted for 794,140 m², or 52% of total take-up. With the exception of Munich, this size segment was the highest-turnover category at all top locations.
Areas between 5,001 m² and 10,000 m² followed with 311,450 m² or 20%. Medium-sized areas between 3,001 m² and 5,000 m² accounted for 208,390 m² (14%). Smaller spaces between 1,000 m² and 3,000 m² contributed 163,750 m² (11%). At 42,070 m², very small areas of less than 1,000 m² (3%) were of secondary importance.
Key figures at a glance
- Take-up 1.52 million m²
- Highest prime rent 13.50 €/m²
- Highest average rent €9.20/m²
- Hall area 1.38 million m² | Office space 89,050 m² |
Mezzanine area 54,950 m² - Tenants 1.47 million m² | Owner-occupier 50,400 m²
