Union Investment has acquired a 53,500m² logistics facility in Berkel en Rodenrijs near Rotterdam as part of a forward funding agreement. The vendor is Dutch company Heembouw Group, which is developing the facility for the future tenant Fource Logistics. Construction work is due to be completed by the end of 2020. The parties agreed not to disclose the purchase price.
The facility, designed by Heembouw Architects, will comprise 49,000m² of warehouse space plus 2,300m² of mezzanine space and a further 2,300m² for offices. There are also 52 loading bays and 333 car parking spaces. One of the architectural highlights will be a bridge, which is not only the eyecatcher but enables the employees to enter the building in a safe manner, without directly passing the truckyard. Offices, changing rooms, a cafeteria and training facilities are all located on the first floor where the bridge leads to. In addition, the entire roof of the property will be fitted with solar modules. A BREEAM Excellent rating will be sought for the logistics facility.
“The Benelux and Nordic countries are high on our priority list for European logistics investments, alongside the DACH region, as are important volume markets such as France and Spain. We already have a reputation in all these markets as a successful office investor,” said Stephan Riechers, Head of Investment Management Logistics at Union Investment Real Estate. “The logistics region around Rotterdam, which includes the Oudeland commercial zone where the facility for Fource Logistics is being constructed, is undoubtedly one of the most important logistics locations in Europe and offers a very high level of investment security.”
