Industrial and logistics real estate developer Prologis has completed its latest new development in Herne and handed over the entire property to a single occupier. JF Global Supply Chain GmbH is leasing both new buildings, which comprise a total area of 20,445 square metres. The national and international logistics service provider took over the property in November and is expanding the site into a central hub within its German distribution network.
JF Global plans to consolidate warehousing, order fulfilment and goods distribution for commercial clients in Herne, including products from the energy sector. The capacity enables the service provider to handle more extensive contracts and bundle operational steps centrally. Yixuan Ling, authorised signatory at JF Global Supply Chain GmbH, explained that Germany remains a key market for the planned expansion of the company's logistics network and that the Herne base will allow it to support clients flexibly in their European expansion. Real estate advisor JLL acted on behalf of both contracting parties in the transaction.
Revitalisation of an industrial brownfield site
The scheme comprises the Herne DC1 and DC2 properties and was built on an area of around 36,400 square metres. The previously industrial site had lain derelict since 2020 and has been returned to productive economic use through the project. Via the A43 motorway and direct links to the A42 and A2, the new development has direct connections to the Ruhr region's motorway network.
Volker Schönfeld, VP Head of Leasing Germany at Prologis, regarded the full letting immediately upon completion as a clear sign of robust demand across the Rhine-Ruhr area. Philipp Feige, Vice President, Head of Capital Deployment and Co-Managing Director Germany at Prologis, emphasised that investment decisions are strictly tied to criteria such as location quality, infrastructure and long-term usability, requirements that the location successfully meets.
DGNB Platinum certification and further projects
Prologis is aiming for Platinum certification from the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB) for the new buildings. The technical and ecological design includes the following features:
- —A rooftop photovoltaic system with 1 MWp nominal capacity for self-consumption and feeding into the grid
- —Around 11,000 square metres of green roofs and underground cisterns for rainwater harvesting
- —Charging infrastructure for electric vehicles as well as outdoor areas with sports facilities and recreational spaces
- —A structured biodiversity strategy to establish native animal and plant species
Prologis is also stepping up its activities in the Ruhr region at another location: in Dortmund-Dorstfeld, the developer is delivering the DC4ward commercial scheme on a former industrial site. Completion of the first construction phase there is scheduled for April 2027.
