In a strategic move that highlights the resurgence of investor appetite for sustainable logistics assets, GARBE Industrial, in joint venture with BREMER Projektentwicklung BREMER and the Quakernack Group, has sold a 125,000 m² logistics centre in Bitterfeld-Wolfen to a fund managed by Clarion Partners Europe. Located in the booming Technologiepark Mitteldeutschland and directly linked to the A9 motorway, the property offers seamless access to Leipzig, Berlin and Munich, making it a valuable acquisition for last-mile and regional distribution.
Developed in three construction phases across a 222,000 m² site, the asset is fully let to tenants from the automotive sector and sets a new benchmark in ESG-compliant industrial real estate. Air-source heat pumps power the heating systems, and a 4.5 MWp rooftop photovoltaic installation further minimises carbon emissions. A Platinum certification from the DGNB, the German Sustainable Building Council, is being pursued, underscoring the developers’ long-term sustainability vision.
“By developing this property, we created a high-end ESG-compliant asset in a strategically well-connected location,” said Dr. Peter Bartholomäus, Chief Investment Officer (CIO) at GARBE Industrial. “The successful sale demonstrates that demand for forward-looking logistics facilities in established locations has bounced back and that such properties remain an attractive investment.”
In a market still recalibrating from inflationary pressures and supply chain shocks, the sale represents more than a deal. It signals a shift: sustainability is no longer a premium add-on, but a prerequisite. For developers and institutional investors alike, buildings with decarbonised operations and secured automotive tenants offer high resilience and predictable long-term returns. Further, Bitterfeld-Wolfen’s proximity to top-tier research institutions and Germany’s chemical industry cluster positions the location as a magnet for innovation-led industrial demand.
Legal advice for the transaction was provided by Norton Rose Fulbright, with tax support from HLB Stückmann and brokerage services by Logivest Stuttgart GmbH. All parties agreed not to disclose the transaction value, though market observers estimate deals of this nature can reach upwards of €150m, depending on lease terms and certification outcomes.
This development adds to the growing trend of climate-aligned logistics hubs across Europe, with investors showing increased interest in purpose-built, tenant-secured assets in established corridors.
People mentioned:
Dr. Peter Bartholomäus – Chief Investment Officer, GARBE Industrial
Companies mentioned:
GARBE Industrial – Developer, asset manager
BREMER Projektentwicklung – Joint venture partner, developer
Quakernack Group – Joint venture partner
Clarion Partners Europe – Acquiring fund manager
Norton Rose Fulbright – Legal adviser
HLB Stückmann – Tax adviser
Logivest Stuttgart GmbH – Broker
DGNB German Sustainable Building Council – Sustainability certifier
Image Source: GARBE Industrial
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