MLP GROUP LAUNCHES A NEW BUSINESS PARK CONCEPT IN THE RUHR AREA
MLP Group is strengthening its position in the strategic German market. In the town of Castrop-Rauxel, the company will develop its third business center in the Ruhr Area. The project, located on post-industrial land, will deliver 57,000 square meters of sustainable, modern space, certified to at least DGNB Gold standards. Flexible modules, ranging from 1,000 to 10,000 square meters, will be tailored to various types of operations, including data center needs.
As a leading European platform for logistics and industrial real estate, MLP Group is launching its sixth project in Germany. The group has acquired a 14.6-hectare plot in Castrop-Rauxel, located in the Ruhr Area. The site will host a modern business park modeled after the MLP Business Park Schalke, Gelsenkirchen concept. This will be the third center established in this industrial region of Germany, alongside an operational complex in Unna and another under development in Gelsenkirchen.
“Germany is our strategic direction for expansion. It’s the largest market in Europe with immense growth potential. Recently, we successfully launched our first green bond offering, raising €300 million. A significant portion of the funds will be allocated to further development in this country,” comments Radosław T. Krochta, CEO at MLP Group S.A.
The MLP Business Park in Castrop-Rauxel will provide approximately 55,000 square meters of modern warehouse space and 2,000 square meters of office space. The project will be built on a brownfield site, revitalized in accordance with the local zoning plan, which is already in preparation. The facility, designed to meet the highest environmental standards, will be certified at a minimum DGNB Gold level. A photovoltaic system will be installed on the roof, which will also feature green roof elements. The project includes the use of heat pumps as the primary heating source, along with solutions supporting efficient water and energy management.
“The new investment in Castrop-Rauxel fits perfectly into our development strategy for the German market. Its location in the heart of the Ruhr Area offers access to well-developed logistics infrastructure and proximity to key transport routes. The project will be tailored to accommodate diverse business activities, including data center operations,” emphasizes Martin Birkert, Chief Country Officer Germany at MLP Group.
The concept of MLP Business Park in Castrop-Rauxel has received positive feedback from local authorities. The offered modules will range in size from 1,000 to 10,000 square meters. The park’s flexible concept will enable the space to be utilized for a variety of purposes. It will be tailored to accommodate light industry, warehousing and logistics operations, as well as other business functions, including data centers.
“Like many cities in the Ruhr area, Castrop-Rauxel was heavily influenced by the coal and steel industry in the past. Today, companies from a wide range of sectors are settling here. However, free commercial space is becoming increasingly scarce. With the revitalization of the brownfield site, unused space potential, which we urgently need, will be raised in order to promote further commercial settlements. We therefore very much welcome the project and look forward to working closely with the MLP Group to bring the site to planning maturity,” comments Jens Langensiepen, Managing Director at Wirtschaft & Marketing Castrop-Rauxel GmbH.
The business park will be developed at Wartburgstraße 81 in Castrop-Rauxel, offering several strategic advantages for future tenants. The site is conveniently located near an extensive highway network, with the A2, A42, A43, and A45 highways just 3 km away, ensuring excellent connectivity across the Ruhr Area and beyond. The project also features easy access to the city center via a four-lane federal road only 800 meters away. Another key benefit is its proximity to major logistics hubs, including facilities operated by Dachser, UPS, ad-Cargo, and Recht Logistik, as well as distribution centers for IKEA and Hornbach. Additionally, Dortmund Airport is located approximately 34 km away, translating to a 30–45 minute drive by car.
The transaction was accompanied and arranged by NAI Apollo. Furthermore, the transaction was accompanied by Goodwin Law on the legal side and Berkers & Cie. on the tax side.
In keeping with its build & hold strategy, MLP Group retains completed logistics parks in its portfolio and manages them. All projects undertaken by MLP Group are distinguished by highly attractive logistics park locations, built-to-suit solutions, and ongoing tenant support throughout the lease term.
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