In Datteln in the northern Ruhr area, Prologis acquired a six-hectare site in autumn 2019 for the development of a state-of-the-art logistics facility. Thanks to the excellent cooperation with the city of Datteln, the logistics real estate developer was able to start the speculative construction of a 27,800 square meter logistics facility in February. The building can be divided into three units and will be completed in September 2020. The space will be available for future customers to rent from October 2020.
Sustainability in Mind
Sustainability plays a decisive role in the project. “The project is a brownfield development,” says Christina Deuß, market officer Germany, Prologis. “In the past, the area was used by Ruhr Zink to produce metal alloys. Due to decades of pollution, the site had to be extensively redeveloped.”
Datteln Süd development company carried out the remediation—the sealing of the area by Prologis is the final part of the remediation concept. In addition, Prologis is implementing species protection measures that include a bee hotel on the property. The hotel offers shelter and nesting facilities for wild bees, which live solitarily and, unlike honeybees, do not form colonies. Prologis aims to achieve a gold certificate from the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB) for the facility.
Employee Satisfaction, Thanks to WELL Building Standard
In cooperation with the WELL Building Institute, Prologis adapted the WELL Building Standard to logistics real estate to create comfortable and healthy working environments, and this facility will meet WELL Building Standard guidelines. The standard is based on medical research that shows how buildings impact human health and well-being. A facility developed according to this standard can help attract qualified employees and permanently improve their well-being. Prologis implemented the standard for logistics real estate successfully with the development of a distribution center in Tilburg, the Netherlands.
Ideal Conditions
Prologis is developing the facility speculatively. “In recent years, we’ve had positive experiences with speculative developments”, says Christina Deuß. “The great scarcity of space and the good economic situation in Germany led to a high demand for logistics space in sought-after locations, such as the Ruhr area. Many of our speculatively developed buildings are already fully rented before completion. The current COVID-19 pandemic and the associated “Stay at Home” economy have shown how important a functioning supply chain is in times of crisis in order to ensure the supply of the population with everyday products. Logistics real estate at strategic locations plays an essential role for efficient supply chains.”
Located in the northern Ruhr area, Datteln offers ideal conditions for numerous industries. Prologis Park Datteln is close to the A2 motorway, which runs from the Netherlands to Eastern Europe. Dortmund Airport is only 32 kilometers away, and the logistics facility is well connected to local public transportation with a bus stop that connects to the main railway station in Castrop-Rauxel in less than 10 minutes.