Revitalizing former industrial sites and removing prior contamination, the development of brownfield sites, is part Prologis’ sustainability plan. We also see the use of brownfield sites as an opportunity to realize quality logistics space in sought-after locations.
As an expert in brownfield development, we develop numerous facilities on former industrial sites—in Germany and around the world.
Cologne-Niehl: A Logistics Hub with Optimal Transport Connections
Space is scarce in Cologne, Germany. The excellent location—with consumers, a booming economy and outstanding infrastructure—has made this metropolis on the Rhine an exceptionally sought-after area for logistics companies. We acquired land on the former site of a refinery in the district of Niehl. Working with the city of Cologne, Prologis implemented numerous wildlife conservation measures by preparing alternative habitats and resettling species. We are planning a modern logistics park of approximately 60,000 square meters on 100,000 square meters of undeveloped land.
Pulheim: A Top-Class Location and Excellent Infrastructure
Prologis purchased a brownfield site in Pulheim, Germany, an ideal location in the Cologne metropolitan area that will be exceptionally attractive to logistics service providers because of access to the A1 autobahn and proximity to Belgium and the Netherlands. Formerly used by an industrial enterprise, the land was fully sealed with cement, making revitalization complex. By building a modern logistics park of approximately 26,000 square meters and creating jobs, Prologis offers the region a promising outlook.
Chimneys, steel and coal: The brownfield sites left behind by the iron and steel industries are ideal for brownfield development. In Dortmund, one of our core markets, Prologis acquired 16 hectares at the former premises for Westfalenhütte, where we are planning a roughly 90,000 square meter logistics park with three logistics facilities, our largest brownfield development in Germany to date. With optimal transport connections, the site is well suited for e-commerce companies. By revitalizing the land, Prologis is making a sustainable contribution to the city and helping create new jobs.
South of Paris, Prologis acquired land from the car manufacturer Groupe PSA. Originally used as a spare parts warehouse, we removed the majority of the building, creating room for high-quality logistics facilities. We recycled concrete, metal and other materials or found ways to use them in the new buildings. The challenge was to preserve the infrastructure and the trees. Additionally, the development required a rainwater drainage system to minimize impact on the public sewer system. Over 240,000 square meters in size, the logistics park is close to Paris and located in the middle of a convenient three-leg motorway interchange.
Prologis acquired a former landfill site in New Jersey in 2008. Following extensive environmental rehabilitation under the supervision of state and federal regulatory authorities, we worked with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to develop a plan to revitalize the brownfield site, and the Prologis Pulaski Distribution Center was created. Prologis converted part of the former landfill site into green space. The high-quality logistics park is close to the Pulaski Skyway—approximately 6 kilometers from the Port of New York and New Jersey and around 5 kilometers from New York City and the New Jersey Turnpike.
