Panattoni realises second project in Cologne

Panattoni, the leading project developer for industrial and logistics properties in Europe, is developing a new Panattoni Park in the immediate vicinity of Cologne’s city centre. The property is being built according to high sustainability standards on an historic plot in the northern city district Niehl which is excellently connected. The start of construction is planned for the third quarter of 2024 and completion is slated for the third parties quarter of 2025.

Panattoni Park Cologne II will be built without advance tenants on a property measuring around 62,000 m² only 1 km from the recently announced Panattoni Campus Cologne, which is part of the integrated FUSION COLOGNE production and logistics quarter. The Panattoni Park Cologne II site has a long industrial history and has been used by Ford’s factories to produce prototypes since the 1950s. After completion, the property will have around 35,000 m² of industrial and logistics space, of which 2,600 m² are office and social spaces, and 2,600 m² are mezzanine space. The park consists of two separate buildings with a total of six units, each with a surface area between 5,000 m² and 6,000 m². They can be divided flexibly so the property is suitable for a wide variety of commercial uses. The height of both halls is 10 m to the bottom of the girders. The plans provide for 120 passenger vehicle and 6 lorry parking spaces.

The modern logistics and industrial property will be built in the immediate vicinity of Cologne’s city centre and is directly connected to the A1 federal motorway via which the A3, A57 and A59 motorways can be quickly reached. Due to its close proximity to the Niehl harbour and the Cologne-Bonn airport, the site also has an excellent multimodal connection. There are also public transit stops nearby.

Dr. Manfred Janssen, CEO of KölnBusiness Wirtschaftsförderung: “In order to an attractive economic metropolis like Cologne to grow, it needs new, modern spaces for companies. By revitalising the former Ford factory site, Panattoni is creating precisely such high-quality spaces for logistics and industrial companies that move the economic site further forward. The companies are in an excellent location in Cologne, whether with respect to IT and communication infrastructure or transport connections. As KölnBusiness Wirtschaftsförderung, we actively support companies and project developers put their projects in Cologne into action.”

While developing the project Panattoni is focusing on the aspect of sustainability and is aiming to obtain at least a certification according to the DGNB gold standard. To this end, a wide range of sustainability measures will be implemented including the installation of a photovoltaic system (PV) on the roof and the use of rainwater. In addition, there will be greenery on the roof of the central sprinkler system building and the smokers’ and bicycle shelters. Last, but not least, the developer will create recreation areas for the employees and wild flower meadows.

Fred-Markus Bohne, Managing Partner for Panattoni Germany and Austria, says, “We are very comfortable in Cologne. With the Panattoni Park Cologne II, we are now developing our second project directly within the city, alongside the Panattoni Campus Cologne with its Park and City Dock areas only one kilometre away. Flexible, usable areas that are suitable for a wide range of users are being built in Cologne-Niehl. Future tenants will benefit from the excellent location in a dynamic region since Cologne’s city centre, Leverkusen and Düsseldorf can all be reached quickly. The collaboration with all of the involved parties is professional and constructive. Those are the best conditions to drive the realisation of the project forward full steam ahead.”

The international property consultant CBRE brokered the property used by the Ford factories to Panattoni via a structured bidding process and exclusively on behalf of Ford and will also handle the marketing of the plot.

The start of construction is planned for the third quarter of 2024 and the completion is slated for the third quarter of 2025.