Verdion acquires Rhine‑Ruhr site for urban logistics development

Verdion has acquired a strategic industrial site in Germany’s Rhine‑Ruhr metropolitan region for the development of a €68 million urban logistics hub, the latest addition to its second European Logistics Fund (VELF 2). 

Gelsenkirchen acquisition

The investor, developer and asset manager will now begin planning and permitting for the speculative development of a new LiteHub in Gelsenkirchen, delivering 37,675 sq m of flexible urban logistics space across two self‑contained blocks.

The 6.67‑hectare brownfield site, formerly a steel rope factory owned by Bekaert sits on the northern outskirts of Gelsenkirchen, close to the A42 motorway between Duisburg and Dortmund. Duisburg Inland Port and central Essen are both less than 30 minutes away, offering strong connectivity to one of Europe’s largest industrial and consumer markets.

Verdion plans to deliver up to 10 units ranging from 2,945 sq m to 20,098 sq m, designed to meet EG40 and DGNB Gold standards. The scheme will target occupiers in e‑commerce, light manufacturing and last‑mile distribution, continuing Verdion’s strategy of delivering modern, sustainable logistics space in supply‑constrained urban locations.

Moritz Heißenberg, Executive Director – Head of Germany at Verdion, said the acquisition strengthens the company’s German development pipeline. “With excellent connectivity and access to a substantial customer base, we expect strong occupier demand from e‑commerce, light manufacturing and last‑mile distribution businesses, continuing our strategy of delivering flexible, modern space in prime urban locations with constrained supply.”

Oliver Kemper, Head of Investment – Germany at Verdion, said the deal aligns closely with VELF 2’s investment strategy. “We remain disciplined in targeting brownfield opportunities in established urban markets where we see clear potential to create value through redevelopment. Gelsenkirchen combines strong underlying demand fundamentals with the opportunity to transform an underutilised industrial site into modern, flexible logistics space.”

The acquisition marks Verdion’s third German deal for VELF 2 in six months. In June 2026, the fund secured a brownfield site in Munich for a €96 million LiteHub development, following a February acquisition in northern Cologne for a €95 million urban logistics hub combining LiteHub and CoreHub facilities. In June 2025, Verdion also acquired a brownfield site in Rastatt on the German‑French border for a €45 million speculative development scheduled to complete in July 2027.

JLL brokered the Gelsenkirchen transaction.