The international real estate investment manager Savills Investment Management (Savills IM) has acquired a modern new logistics building in Bocholt, North Rhine-Westphalia, from Aconlog Projektentwicklung GmbH from Cologne on behalf of a southern German pension fund. The portfolio built up for the German pension fund since 2015 thus grows to 14 properties in five European countries.
The recently completed logistics building is located in the Duisburg / Lower Rhine region – an important logistics hub in Germany. The location offers a direct connection to the A3 motorway and thus quick access to both the Ruhr area and the Netherlands as well as to the seaports of Rotterdam, Amsterdam and Antwerp (Belgium).
The property has around 26,500 square metres of rental space and is fully leased on a long-term basis to the logistics service provider WM Group. The property consists of three interconnected halls, which could also be used separately if required – and thus offer a high degree of third-party usability. The property also meets high standards in terms of sustainability: Built on a former industrial site, it impresses with its high energy efficiency and the use of heat pumps and LED lighting. The installation of a photovoltaic system is also planned on the roof surfaces, which will enable CO2-neutral operation of the building. DGNB Gold certification is being sought. For sustainable mobility, 28 e-charging stations for cars and 34 bicycle parking spaces are available.
Patrick Griesbeck, Senior Investment Manager at Savills IM, says: “We are pleased that we were able to secure the new Grade A logistics building in Bocholt Off-Market for our long-standing investor. Thanks to the high-quality furnishings, the consistent consideration of ESG criteria, the long-term lease to a tenant with a strong credit rating and the central location in one of the most sought-after logistics regions in western Germany, the property is an ideal addition to the portfolio and contributes to further diversification.”
Tim Ulrich, Head of Transaction Management Germany, Austria & Switzerland at Savills IM, adds: “The acquisition of this modern and sustainable logistics property underlines our strategy of investing specifically in high-quality real estate in strategically important locations. We are looking for further properties in Germany and Europe for various funds and mandates that have positive economic and demographic development and high sustainability standards. In addition to logistics, the focus is on the residential, office and food retail sectors.”
Oliver Blüher, Managing Partner of Aconlog: “With the sale of our brownfield development in Bocholt, we were able to successfully complete our tenth project since it was founded in 2020 within 18 months from the start of the project to closing. I would like to thank all those involved for the targeted and cooperative partnership.”
Savills IM was advised on the transaction by Luther (legal and tax), Arcadis (technical and ESG) and BNP Paribas Real Estate Consult (commercial). Aconlog was advised by the Frankfurt team of the law firm GvW Graf von Westphalen (legal) and KSP Tax (tax).
