Swiss Life Asset Managers has acquired a construction-ready plot of approximately 30,000 m² in Offenbach an der Queich, Rhineland-Palatinate, marking a strategic expansion of its pan-European logistics pipeline, Roots. The planned "Karlsruhe Northwest" development, located within the "Im Niedersand" industrial park, will deliver a state-of-the-art logistics property offering more than 20,000 m² of lettable space, with construction scheduled to commence in 2026.
Positioned in the southern corridor of the Rhine-Neckar metropolitan region, the site sits between the logistics hubs of Mannheim/Ludwigshafen and Karlsruhe. Direct access to the B9 federal road and the A65 motorway, which connects to the A5 and the wider Stuttgart and Rhine-Main areas, gives tenants a rare dual-gateway advantage into both southern German and broader European supply chains. Mannheim and Karlsruhe are reachable within approximately 30 minutes, while inland port access is available via Ludwigshafen and Mannheim.
"With 'Karlsruhe Northwest', we are expanding the presence of our Europe-wide logistics pipeline 'Roots' to the Rhine-Neckar metropolitan region," said Ingo Steves, Managing Partner Logistics at Swiss Life Asset Managers. "The acquisition of this space in a highly sought-after location demonstrates our regional expertise and our position as a strong partner for municipalities and customers. In doing so, we will continue to consistently pursue our strategy of creating added value for all parties involved."
The development will be divided into two building units, with the option to lease the entire facility to a single occupier. The rental breakdown comprises approximately 18,000 m² of warehouse space, over 1,500 m² of mezzanine space, around 600 m² of office and social space, and 50 on-site parking spaces, offering the flexibility increasingly demanded by both logistics operators and last-mile distribution users.
"With 'Karlsruhe Northwest', we will offer our customers a state-of-the-art logistics property in a strategically ideal location for the German and European logistics market, which impresses with its flexible use and sustainable design," added Moritz Löbbert, Development Director Logistics at Swiss Life Asset Managers. The scheme targets BREEAM "Very Good" certification, with plans for heat pump installations and a rooftop photovoltaic system, credentials that are increasingly material to institutional investors benchmarking assets against ESG mandates.
For investors and developers, the Rhine-Neckar region represents one of Germany's most undersupplied logistics markets relative to demand, with vacancy rates for modern grade-A space consistently below the national average. The "Karlsruhe Northwest" development arrives at a moment when occupier demand in the corridor is outpacing available supply, positioning the asset well for strong rental performance from day one and long-term capital value growth within the Roots pipeline.
People mentioned
- Ingo Steves, Managing Partner Logistics, Swiss Life Asset Managers
- Moritz Löbbert, Development Director Logistics, Swiss Life Asset Managers
Companies mentioned
- Swiss Life Asset Managers, investor-developer and asset manager behind the pan-European logistics pipeline Roots
