REALOGIS advises Raben Group and EQT Exeter on lease for new building

Hannover, 17 March 2022 – In a deal advised by Realogis – the leading German consulting firm for industrial, logistics and commercial properties – the Dutch logistics specialist Raben Group has signed a long-term lease for a new logistics building in the Hanover region. On completion by the Swedish investor and project developer EQT Exeter, the property at Helperder Strasse 1 in Sarstedt will offer the logistics group around 36,000 m² of usable space. EQT Exeter had already acquired an 84,000 m² former brownfield site from Edeka for this purpose.

“This major deal once again confirms that brownfield developments and redensification on the Hanover logistics property market are successful and in demand among companies,” says Christian Beran, Managing Director of Realogis Immobilien Deutschland GmbH, in view of the shortage of greenfield land for building projects. “The Raben Group’s decision to move to Sarstedt shows that the Hanover logistics location has the potential to put decommissioned production and commercial sites to new use on a sustainable basis,” adds Christian Beran.

In Sarstedt to the south of Hanover, the property developer EQT Exeter (Düsseldorf) is constructing a logistics and transhipment centre that is expected to be ready for occupancy in the third quarter of 2022. The usable space consists of around 27,500 m² of logistics space and around 5,500 m² of transhipment space, as well as around 1,400 m² of mezzanine space and around 1,900 m² of office space.

“We are delighted to have gained a highly creditworthy user in the Raben Group that has a long-term commitment to the Hanover region and is strategically repositioning itself at the location,” comments Bernhard Scheer, Director of Investment and Leasing Germany at EQT Exeter.

The new logistics building will be constructed in line with the latest sustainability standards. “Construction work began in the first quarter of 2022 already, with the completed revitalisation work and preparatory planning measures allowing for a quick start of construction. DGNB Gold standard certification is targeted for this built-to-suit project,” reports Dominik Müller, Director of Development and Construction Germany at EQT Exeter.

The Raben Group will establish its new branch in the free-standing building. The company is already based in Langenhagen. “With this property, we have the opportunity to continue our growth in a modern new building in the Hanover logistics region and further expand our national cargo network,” says Thomas Nolepa, Managing Director for Contract Logistics Germany at the Raben Group. The company will employ more than 160 staff at the Sarstedt branch, including over 70 just in commercial and administrative roles.

The Raben Group does business in 15 European countries and operates around 1,300,000 m² of warehouse space at over 160 locations with more than 10,000 employees. In Germany, the logistics company has 3,200 employees at 39 locations.