The logistics market in the Düsseldorf region presented a pleasing interim balance at the end of the third quarter of 2026. With take-up of approximately 202,000 sqm, the market segment achieved its third consecutive above-average Q1-3 result. This exceeds the ten-year average by a good 12%. Since 2022, take-up has consistently been above or within the range of this average, demonstrating sustained high demand over the past five years. While the current volume is 11% lower than the previous year's result, that year also represented the best Q1-Q3 result since 2017. These findings are based on an analysis by BNP Paribas Real Estate.
Christopher Raabe, Managing Director and Head of Logistics & Industrial at BNP Paribas Real Estate GmbH, highlighted that the remarkable volume was generated exclusively by deals in the segment up to 20,000 sqm. A comparable balance was last achieved in 2017 without large contracts above this threshold. Among the most significant leases in the last three months were the deal by wholesaler Inter Benefit for 14,100 sqm in Grevenbroich and the lease of 13,800 sqm by logistics service provider H & H in a new-build property in Düsseldorf-Heerdt.
Rent Development and User Structure
The sustained demand pressure is also reflected in rent levels. Prime rent increased by a good 4% year-on-year to 8.85 EUR/sqm. The average rent rose by around 3% to 7.10 EUR/sqm compared to the third quarter of 2025. In the sector analysis, logistics service providers dominate, a nationwide trend that is also reflected in the Düsseldorf market area. This sector accounted for over 56% of take-up with an above-average leasing volume of plus 49%. This was contributed to by five contracts between 12,000 and 20,000 sqm as well as a high number of deals. The retail market segment improved significantly compared to 2025 and achieved its best result since 2022, with around 50,000 sqm by the end of September 2026 (almost 25% market share). Industrial companies are represented in the market with a further 14% and several smaller deals up to 10,000 sqm.
Particularly noteworthy in terms of size categories are deals between 5,000 and 8,000 sqm, which account for 25%, and contracts from 12,000 to 20,000 sqm, with a 43% share. The latter set a new record. The positive market development is also supported by the consistently high demand from logistics service providers, often from Asia, and record turnover in medium-sized deals.
Market Outlook and Challenges
Whether the total annual take-up of around 335,000 sqm from 2025 can be reached remains to be seen. However, only an average volume in the fourth quarter is necessary for a balance above the long-term average. On the supply side, speculative new-build projects in Düsseldorf, Mönchengladbach or Krefeld are expanding the range of first-occupancy spaces. Bastian Hafner, Head of Logistics & Industrial Advisory at BNP Paribas Real Estate GmbH, points out that short-term and large-scale requirements, which are often encountered among Asian market participants, cannot always be met ad hoc. He adds that new-build spaces are increasingly competing with existing and sublet spaces, which increases the importance of extensive incentive packages for new-build leases. No further increase in prime rent is expected in the short term; however, market activity is likely to stabilise at the already high average rent level of over 7 EUR/sqm.
