Panattoni, the leading project developer for industrial and logistics premises in Europe, is constructing a new Panattoni Park in the Hessian municipality of Altenstadt, near Frankfurt am Main. The future tenant is Breitfeld & Schliekert GmbH, a long-established German company based in Karben, a town near Frankfurt am Main, which is providing goods and services to opticians since 1927. Through an integration in 2015 into the Hilco Vision Group, an American corporate group that is operating from 10 locations across four continents, Breitfeld & Schliekert belongs to one of the biggest providers in its segment worldwide.
In total, the Panattoni Park will offer its new tenant approximately 11,600 m² of commercial space. This includes around 11,100 m² of storage areas and technical space, plus 513 m² of office space and social areas, with the flexibility to expand the office areas on the mezzanine. Panattoni will create parking spaces outdoors for two lorries and 47 cars. Breitfeld & Schliekert plans to use the new site for the storage and commissioning of its optical products to the optical industry and has taken out a ten-year lease agreement, which was signed in July 2022.
“As an integral part of the world’s largest supplier of accessories to the optical industry, we need space for our constantly growing product portfolio. We are therefore very pleased that our search for additional space was successful with the help of Panattoni. Not only will the new Park in Altenstadt offer us sufficient space, it is also in an ideal location not far from our headquarters in Karben,” said Frank Thiel, Managing Director of Breitfeld & Schliekert GmbH.
Panattoni Park Altenstadt is under construction on an approx. 23,000 m² site located just 5 km from the A45 autobahn and 3 km from the B521 federal road. Consequently, the new premises will enjoy excellent north-south and east-west connections within the Frankfurt am Main metropolitan region. In addition, Frankfurt city centre is just 40 minutes away by road.
The site was previously used as a tree nursery and, subsequently, as a storage facility. In the interests of ecologically sustainable development and in an effort to protect the local flora and fauna, special emphasis has been placed on preserving the green belt that has established itself around the site over the years. It provides a habitat for numerous species of plants and animals, as well as providing a natural privacy shield. In addition, the new facility’s construction is subject to species protection monitoring.
Panattoni aims to secure certification for the development in accordance with the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB) Gold standard. The developer plans to install a photovoltaic system, which the future tenant can use for their own purposes or feed into the public grid as surplus electricity. Panattoni also aims to install fossil-free heating systems for the hall and office areas. The plans for the premises also include a wildflower meadow, green roofs for smoking and bicycle shelters, EV charging points, LED lighting and an elevated number of domed rooflights.
The new Panattoni Park is being planned in close coordination with the Altenstadt municipal authorities. Panattoni has made adhering to emission control regulations set by local residents’ groups a particular priority on the project.
Norbert Syguda, Mayor of the municipality of Altenstadt, welcomed the development of Panattoni Park Altenstadt: “In recent years, Altenstadt has welcomed a number of businesses, demonstrating that our municipality is an ideal location for new companies to settle. In the developer Panattoni, we have found a cooperation partner that not only knows the market’s requirements but also takes the needs of local citizens into consideration.”
“As an owner-operated company, we set great store by establishing constructive cooperation with all stakeholders. That’s why we are already working closely with the local authorities on the plans for the project. This is the only way we can integrate the specific requirements on the ground and provide the company moving in, and the local region, with a premises that is modern and sustainable in many respects,” said Fred-Markus Bohne, Managing Partner at Panattoni Germany and Austria.
After obtaining a construction permit, the developer plans to begin construction in October 2022. Completion is scheduled for September 2023. The premises is then set to be handed over to the new tenant in October 2023.
The project was marketed by Frankfurt-based projecta GmbH. JLL brokered the deal with Breitfeld & Schliekert GmbH.