Catella acquires French logistics portfolio for CLD+

Catella Real Estate AG (CREAG), now operating under Catella’s new fund investment platform alongside Catella Investment Management GmbH (CIM), has acquired three newly developed logistics properties in St. Etienne and Avignon, France, for the special alternative investment fund (AIF) "Catella Logistik Deutschland Plus" (CLD+). The transaction was facilitated by local operating partner Aquila Asset Management SAS (Aquila), with the fully leased properties purchased from French developer Vectura Immobilier. The long-term tenants include a logistics company and a parcel service provider.

CIM acts as the advisor to the "Catella Logistik Deutschland Plus" fund, with Catella Real Estate AG providing the German KVG platform.

Wolfgang Oelke, Business Unit Manager Commercial at CIM, commented: "We are proud to secure our first logistics investment for the 'Catella Logistik Deutschland Plus' fund in France. This acquisition includes three modern cross-dock logistics assets leased to strong tenants in strategic locations, reinforcing our European logistics footprint. With this deal, the fund now holds 23 properties across four European countries and continues to expand while improving ESG standards."

Olivier Levesque, Managing Director and Partner at Aquila Asset Management SAS, added: "We are excited to support CREAG in its first logistics acquisition in France. Logistics is a key asset class for Aquila, and we will continue to identify opportunities with both Core and Value-added strategies."

In St. Etienne, Catella acquired two adjacent cross-dock logistics properties in Rue de la Talaudière, spanning approximately 50,000 m² in total plot area. The first property, completed in February 2024, offers 8,600 m² of rental space (92% warehouse, 8% office) and is leased to a logistics company. The second property, delivered in December 2024, provides 5,950 m² of rental space (92% warehouse, 8% office) and is fully let to a parcel service provider.

In Avignon, the acquired cross-dock logistics facility at 370 Avenue Thomas Edison in Sorgues features a total leasable area of approximately 4,200 m² (93% warehouse, 7% office). Following extensive renovations completed in October 2024, the modernized property is fully leased to a parcel service provider under a 10-year lease agreement. The site also includes the potential for solar panel installations.

Both properties in St. Etienne and Avignon are designed to achieve BREEAM "Very Good" certification, incorporating advanced technical specifications such as a floor load-bearing capacity of 5t per m² and a clear height of 9.2m. Additionally, the roof areas are intended for photovoltaic (PV) system installations.

St. Etienne is located in southeastern France, approximately 60 km southwest of Lyon, a major economic hub. This positioning provides direct access to France’s logistics network and central regions.

Sorgues, in the Vaucluse department of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, is situated about 10 km east of Avignon, 90 km southwest of Marseille, and 110 km south of Montpellier. Its location in the Rhône Valley enhances its connectivity within the French logistics corridor.

Vectura Immobilier, founded in 1975 as a family-owned logistics firm, has evolved into a prominent developer of industrial and logistics facilities across France. The company oversees the entire value chain, from land acquisition and project development to construction, financing, leasing, and asset management.

Catella Real Estate AG received legal counsel from White & Case, tax advisory services from EY, technical due diligence from Delpha Conseil, and notarial support from Allez & Associés Notaires.