Panattoni acquires Wakefield Europort site for new logistics hub

Panattoni has purchased a 9.3-hectare plot at Wakefield Europort in West Yorkshire from Delin Property.

Panattoni Wakefield 500

They plan to build a 46,451 m2 logistics and warehousing facility called Panattoni Wakefield 500, in partnership with Newport by Panattoni. Construction is set to begin this quarter.

The development will feature 56 dock doors, 8 ground-level access doors, large yard areas (up to 50 meters deep), 62 HGV parking spaces, 384 car parking spaces, and a 2.5 MVA power supply. It aims for a BREEAM 'Outstanding' rating and will achieve net-zero carbon in its construction, meeting the demand for sustainable buildings.

This project addresses a significant shortage of large logistics spaces in the UK, especially in Yorkshire, where there are currently no other speculative developments of this size. Building speculatively offers tenants more predictable pricing and delivery times in an unpredictable market.

Wakefield Europort is a prime logistics location with direct access to the M62 (Junction 31) and connections to the M1 and A1(M), providing extensive motorway links across the North, Midlands, and beyond. It also has a rail freight terminal run by Maritime, offering an eco-friendly alternative to road transport. Wakefield also boasts a strong logistics workforce and competitive occupancy costs.

Andrew Preston, senior development director at Panattoni, said: "Wakefield Europort is one of the strongest logistics addresses in Yorkshire, and this acquisition reflects our conviction that demand for large-format, high-specification space in this market is not being adequately served by existing supply. The combination of M62, M1 and A1(M) connectivity is rare at this scale, and the presence of a rail freight terminal adds a further dimension that is increasingly relevant to occupiers with sustainability commitments. We look forward to starting on-site this quarter and bringing this speculative warehouse for occupation as quickly as possible.”

Daniel Raemy, CEO at Newport by Panattoni, added: “This acquisition further strengthens Newport Fund III’s strategy to invest in strategically located European logistics assets with strong long-term occupier relevance. Wakefield 500 expands our UK exposure into the big-box segment, combining scale, excellent motorway connectivity and intermodal potential in one of the country’s most established logistics corridors. The project reflects the type of institutional-quality development we continue to target - assets aligned with evolving supply-chain requirements, sustainability standards and future liquidity expectations.”