Garbe and Logicenters to develop brownfield site near Ulm

Garbe Industrial Real Estate GmbH, in partnership with Logicenters, the logistics development platform of Nrep, has announced plans to redevelop a 20,000-square-metre brownfield site in Leipheim, Bavaria, located about 30 kilometres northeast of Ulm. The site, formerly part of a military airbase, will be transformed into a state-of-the-art logistics centre with a total area of approximately 11,600 square metres. The project represents a €17 million investment and is slated to begin construction in the second quarter of 2025, with completion expected by mid-2026.

The site, once part of a larger 112-hectare intermunicipal industrial estate known as ‘Areal Pro,’ still contains remnants of its military history, including sections of the old runway. Before construction can commence, the existing structures and foundations will need to be demolished and properly disposed of.

Adrian Zellner, a member of Garbe Industrial Real Estate’s Executive Board, highlighted the significance of revitalizing brownfield sites, stating, “We believe that brownfields hold the greatest potential for future-oriented developments, especially in densely populated areas where available land is scarce. This approach offers new opportunities for innovative projects.”

The new logistics facility will include 10,400 square metres of warehouse space, with an additional 1,200 square metres dedicated to office, social, and auxiliary areas. The development will feature 10 dock levellers, a ground-level sectional door, and parking for 40 cars and two trucks.

Sustainability is a central focus of the project, aligning with modern environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards. “Brownfields are the future, as they allow us to repurpose sealed land and upgrade it with sustainable technologies,” said Martin Ohly, General Manager of Logicenters Germany. The facility will be powered by renewable energy generated from a rooftop photovoltaic system capable of producing up to one megawatt of peak output. Climate-friendly air heat pumps will be used to heat the building, eliminating the need for fossil fuels, while an energy-efficient LED lighting system will further reduce energy consumption. The developers aim for the project to achieve the prestigious Gold Standard certification from the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB).

Strategically located near key transportation routes, the logistics centre will have easy access to the A8 motorway, connecting the site to major cities including Ulm, Stuttgart, Augsburg, and Munich. The Leipheim junction, just three kilometres away, provides direct access to the motorway without passing through residential areas. Additionally, the Ulm/Elchingen motorway junction, about 11 kilometres away, connects the site to the A7, Germany’s longest north-south motorway.

CBRE facilitated the acquisition of the brownfield site for Garbe and Logicenters.

This development marks another step in Garbe and Logicenters’ ongoing commitment to revitalizing brownfield sites, making them functional and sustainable for future logistics operations.