The REALOGIS Group, Germany’s leading consulting firm for industrial and logistics real estate as well as commercial properties, registered total take-up of 624,300 m² in the logistics and industrial real estate market in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) in the first half of 2026. The evaluation is based on market data from the Düsseldorf, Cologne and Ruhr sub-markets.
Hall space accounted for 578,400 m² or 93% of total take-up. This means that take-up of hall space was 117,000 m² (25%) higher than in the same period of the previous year (H1 2025: 461,400 m²). The 5-year average of 462,766 m² was also exceeded by 25%. In terms of hall space, it was the second strongest 1st half of the year since records began in 2014.
The five largest deals together accounted for 199,270 m², or 32% of total take-up. They were accounted for by ID Logistics (70,000 m²) and Goodcang Logistics (41,920 m²), both in Cologne, as well as Cencora (34,460 m²), Goodcang Logistics (30,000 m²) and Blitz Distribution in the Ruhr area (22,890 m²).
Bülent Alemdag, Managing Director of REALOGIS Immobilien Düsseldorf GmbH: “However, the strong half-year result does not reflect broad market momentum, but above all the importance of available existing space. Those who can offer marketable space at short notice have a clear advantage.”
Rents: No change, Düsseldorf remains the most expensive submarket
The most expensive market in North Rhine-Westphalia remained Düsseldorf. This applies to both prime and average rents. They were €8.25/m² and €7.00/m² respectively.
For Cologne, the peak was 8.00 €/m² and an average of 6.85 €/m², in the Ruhr area 7.75 €/m² and 6.50 €/m². All figures remained unchanged compared to the full year 2025 and the 1st half of 2025.
Types of land: Existing stock remains the clear leader
Across North Rhine-Westphalia, 494,740 m² or 79% of total take-up was accounted for by existing properties. New buildings on former brownfields reached 113,360 m² (18%). New buildings on greenfield sites accounted for 16,200 m² (3%). No owner-occupier financial statements were registered in the 1st half of 2026.
Submarkets: Ruhr area ahead of Düsseldorf and Cologne
The Ruhr region remained the strongest sub-market in the 1st half of 2026, accounting for 255,500 m² or 41% of take-up. Düsseldorf reached 193,000 m² (31%), Cologne 175,800 m² (28%).
While the stores in Cologne and the Ruhr area each showed an increase of 105% and 29% respectively, Düsseldorf recorded a minus of 11%. In terms of hall space, all three sub-markets were above their respective 5-year averages.
User groups: Logistics/freight forwarding leads, trade remains strong
Logistics and freight forwarding accounted for 367,800 m² or 59% of total take-up. Retail reached 128,200 m² (21%), of which 83,200 m² came from e-commerce. Industry and production accounted for 92,600 m² (15%), other sectors for 35,700 m² (5%).
Size classes: Large deals shaped the market
Deals of 10,001 m² or more accounted for 410,450 m² or 66% of total take-up. Areas between 5,001 m² and 10,000 m² came to 145,200 m², 3,001 m² to 5,000 m² to 32,700 m², 1,000 m² to 3,000 m² to 31,550 m². The smallest areas of less than 1,000 m² reached 4,400 m².
Key figures at a glance
- Take-up 624,300 m²
- Top rent Düsseldorf 8.25 €/m² | Cologne 8.00 €/m² | Ruhr area 7.75 €/m²
- Average rent Düsseldorf 7.00 €/m² | Cologne 6.85 €/m² | Ruhr area 6.50 €/m²
- Existing properties 494,740 m² | New building on brownfield 113,360 m² |
New building on a greenfield site 16,200 m² - Tenants 624,300 m² | Owner-occupier 0 m²
