The groundbreaking ceremony took place on 18 September. Completion and thus use from the third quarter of 2026.
After DFI Real Estate was able to win vanWylick as a tenant for its logistics property under construction in Lichtenau, it has started construction work. The groundbreaking ceremony was celebrated on 18 September. In the third quarter of 2026, the cold store is to be handed over to the tenant, who will use it in three-shift operation for the storage, picking, packaging and handling of fruit and vegetables. This will create about 100 new jobs.
The property will be owned by a fund of the joint venture partners SICORE Real Assets and DFI Real Estate. As the general contractor, the Max Bögl Group is responsible for the implementation of the construction measures.
A total of 19,660 square metres of rental space is being built on the approximately 39,000 square metre plot in the street "Zur Salzleite" in Lichtenau in the district of Ansbach in Middle Franconia. Of this, 17,175 square metres will be hall space, 1,165 square metres will be office and social space and 1,320 square metres will be warehouse mezzanine. As with its other projects, DFI Real Estate is relying on its three-pillar strategy with a focus on architecture, digitalisation and ecology in order to meet the needs of users, municipalities and investors.
DFI Real Estate is seeking the DGNB Sustainability Certificate 2023 in gold for the project in Lichtenau. This claim is underpinned, among other things, by the modern building technology, which enables reduced energy consumption. A refrigeration system will also be installed, which is operated with the natural refrigerant CO2 and which is climate-neutral. In addition, a photovoltaic system installed on the roof with an output of around 1.9 megawatts peak ensures a sustainable energy supply. The tenant has the option of directly accessing solar energy for their own electricity needs via a cost-effective tenant electricity model, which leads to a reduction in ancillary operating costs. In addition, the photovoltaic system is perfect for supplying the very energy-intensive refrigeration system. In the parts of the building where heating is necessary, this is done via a heat pump.
"We are pleased that we have been able to attract an attractive tenant and can therefore now start construction of our second refrigerated property in a row," says Andreas Fleischer, Managing Director of DFI Real Estate.
"The settlement of vanWylick is another important milestone for Lichtenau in the positive development of our local economy. I am all the more pleased that this is happening with a property at such a high level in terms of technology and sustainability," explains Markus Nehmer, Mayor of the Lichtenau market.
"When deciding on the location, two aspects were in the foreground for us: connectivity and sustainability. The new space at DFI Real Estate in Lichtenau offers us both in an ideal way. The excellent transport connections are just as crucial as the special energy efficiency of the property – especially for an energy-intensive use such as our cold store," says Bastian Haupts from vanWylick. He adds: "We are also very pleased that we can create a relevant number of new jobs in the region."
The logistics property impresses with its optimal connection to the supra-regional logistics regions of Nuremberg and Rhine-Neckar as well as its direct access to the A6 motorway. 95 car parking spaces including e-charging infrastructure, ten truck parking spaces and truck waiting areas will be created on the property.
Part of Germany's first impact fund for new-build logistics properties
The project development in Lichtenau is part of the initial portfolio of the HANSA German Logistics Impact Fund, which will be launched in autumn 2023 – Germany's first impact fund for new-build logistics properties in accordance with Article 9 of the EU Disclosure Regulation.
