Panattoni with the biggest contract this year - over 140,000 sqm in Bydgoszcz for Zalando

European industrial real estate market leader Panattoni will execute another large investment for the e-commerce sector. The developer will build a 140,000 sqm BTS facility in Bydgoszcz for Zalando, Europe's leading online platform. This is Panattoni's first direct development in Europe for the company, and at the same time, the biggest lease contract concluded this year. The investment will be certified under the BREEAM system at the 'Excellent' level. Panattoni plans to complete the project in the second quarter of 2023.

Panattoni and the e-commerce giants. The industrial facilities, fitted to the needs of the dynamically growing e-commerce sector, constitute nearly one-third of all the space developed by Panattoni in Europe. Now it has started working with Zalando, Europe's leading fashion and lifestyle platform.

- The demand for space dedicated to the e-commerce sector is enormous, as the number of customers on various shopping platforms is growing rapidly. Last year, there were 480.9 million digital commerce users in Europe. And this number is predicted to grow to 506.9 million by the end of this year. Not only new e-commerce facilities must accommodate growing volumes of orders, but it also needs to be of a higher quality and suitable for a higher number of associates working there. Their design should also take into account a new efficient system for storage, packaging & returns as well as the necessary building infrastructures needed to accommodate new technologies used by the industry – explains Mathieu Giguere, Managing Director of European Cross Border Team at Panattoni.

The construction of Zalando's new logistics centre in Bydgoszcz will start at the beginning of the new year, and Panattoni plans to complete it in the second quarter of 2023. As part of the investment, more than 140,000 sqm of modern logistics and office space will be developed – the office building will have three storeys. There will also be a connector between the warehouse and the drivers' facility, as well as manoeuvring areas, roads, and car parks. Ultimately up to 3.5 thousand people will find employment here. 

From Bydgoszcz into the world. The choice of Bydgoszcz for the investment was deliberate. In this way, Zalando wants to further expand its logistics network in Europe, as the new centre is to serve both Polish customers and those from neighbouring countries within the Zalando Lounge shopping club. The location near Zalando's other facilities in Poland is, in turn, expected to increase synergies in the company's operations and give it new development opportunities.

The capital of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie province has also proved to be an asset in terms of the region's workforce potential and good infrastructure. It also lies on an important route from Warsaw to Szczecin (the S10 road) and close to the S5 road, which will connect Bydgoszcz with Olsztyn and the A1 motorway, as well as Poznań and Wrocław. Panattoni's investment for Zalando, located at Hutnicza Street, will be situated not far from the city's ring road, national road no. 80, and the junction with the S10 expressway. 

The investment will be certified in the BREEAM system at the 'Excellent' level. Pro-environmental solutions will include, among others, enhanced thermal insulation of the buildings, electric car charging stations, rainwater collection and redistribution, intelligent management systems, greenery, recreation areas, and other facilities to improve the welfare of future users.