Logix Award 2017 goes to the Still logistics center in Hamburg (with picture gallery)

Logix Award for brownfield development

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The Still logistics center in Hamburg-Billbrook, which went into operation in summer 2017, is an exemplary example of the redevelopment of a contaminated former industrial site and convinced the jury that it was worthy of the award. The challenging brownfield project was made possible by the solution-oriented cooperation between the environmental and economic authorities, project developer, user and landowner. The user Still GmbH, a provider of customized in-house logistics solutions (forklift trucks, warehouse technology, etc.), was thus able to achieve synergies in its logistics in the immediate vicinity of its headquarters and close to the city centre. Still is bundling the previously decentralized large parts warehouse and vehicle dispatch areas in the Billbrook industrial estate. The revitalized site has made it possible to retain around 160 jobs in this area.

The building complex comprises two halls with a total area of approx. 30,000 square meters on a plot of approx. 43,000 square meters, which has been completely sealed. The logistics facility was built in accordance with social and ecological standards and has been awarded the Gold Certificate of the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB). ECE planned it according to user-specific criteria and at the same time ensured a high level of third-party usability. ECE invested around 30 million euros in the construction. The owner of the new logistics center is Deka Immobilien. The project is also regarded as the first milestone in the "Elbaufwärts an Elbe und Bille" urban development program.

Prof. Dr. Christian Kille, Professor of Retail Logistics at Würzburg University of Applied Sciences and Chairman of the Logix jury, emphasized in his laudatory speech: "The jury was particularly impressed by the intensive and constructive cooperation of all those involved, which produced this exemplary result: A developed brownfield site with an unfavorable layout, enormous contaminated sites in the ground and a high-voltage power line running across it, which could be put to productive use once again, securing long-term economic prospects for the tenant and its employees at the site."

Special City Logistics Award

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In addition to the Logix Award for the outstanding logistics property, a special prize for new city logistics concepts was awarded for the first time this year. The prize went to Deutsche Post DHL CREM GmbH for its "DHL MechZB Network" concept. Prof. Kille explained the reason for the special prize: "When evaluating the projects submitted, the jury found that there are interesting new concepts for logistics real estate for supplying conurbations. They fall outside the typical grid, but their importance is increasing, particularly due to the demands of growing e-commerce. We wanted to take this into account."

The DHL MechZB network concept of Deutsche Post DHL CREM GmbH, with around 80 handling facilities now in operation, is a key component of DHL's new parcel concept, which aims to increase efficiency in parcel production. It complements the parcel service's 34 hubs (parcel centers) and around 200 delivery bases. The concept comprises logistics facilities in standardized construction in various sizes. They are preferably located close to cities, at a maximum distance of six kilometers from the freeway. This supports the Group's goal of achieving_CO2-free parcel delivery by 2050 with the help of e-mobility. The facilities are often built on brownfield sites with comprehensive noise protection and species conservation measures such as noise barriers, green roofs, substitute habitats, etc. The MechZB include innovative sorting technology solutions and thus increase the delivery speed. Prof. Kille emphasized: "Deutsche Post DHL began expanding and restructuring the parcel network back in 2011, making the Group a pioneer. MechZB, which has become an investment category in its own right, is a convincing response to the continuing growth in e-commerce and increasing parcel volumes."

Further developed process

This year, the winning projects were selected on the basis of an enhanced selection process. Dr. Malte-Maria Münchow, spokesperson for the Logix initiative, explains: "The selection process, which has been further developed compared to the 2015 Logix Award with an active market analysis and a multi-stage application phase, has proven its worth. It didn't make the jury's work any easier, but it allowed all projects to be compared and evaluated in more detail and on the basis of even more facts."

For the Logix Award 2017, a working group at Würzburg University of Applied Sciences headed by Prof. Kille first compiled a list of relevant project developments for the period since the last Logix Award was presented in 2015. After an initial selection, 60 projects were then invited to apply. From the 24 applications received, the working group finally qualified 13 properties for the shortlist on the basis of a so-called "small criteria catalog" with accompanying documents such as a site plan, floor plan, building description and a justification for the prize-worthiness of the real estate projects. These 13 finalists were intensively discussed and evaluated by the independent jury, which included architects, construction planners, scientists, logistics real estate users and developers as well as representatives of the real estate and logistics media, until the final decision on the award was made.

The trophies, which were presented to the winners at Expo Real, are made from the six building materials of a typical logistics property, namely glass, metal, concrete, plastic, wood and natural stone. It is a valuable one-off, carefully handcrafted for each new award ceremony. Previous winners were the Schnellecke Duisport project in Duisburg and Multicube Pfenning Logistics in Heddesheim in 2013 and Immogate AG with its logistics center in Parsdorf near Munich in 2015.

About Logix

The Logistics Real Estate Initiative (Logix) has set itself the goal of increasing the acceptance and importance of logistics settlements among experts and the public. Logistics - and thus also the corresponding warehousing, handling and distribution centers - are elementary conditions for a functioning economy and supplying the population. However, the third largest economic sector in Germany does not enjoy a corresponding reputation among the public.

In order to counteract this public perception, the Logix initiative has been involved since 2012 by creating opportunities for dialog and initiating studies and research. In addition, the initiative has presented the Logix Award for outstanding logistics properties in Germany every two years since 2013. The award is presented at a ceremony at Expo Real in Munich.

The members of the Logistics Real Estate Initiative are: Bremer Bau, CBRE, Colliers, Compass Logistics, Deka Immobilien, Deutsche Logistik Holding, Deutsche Pfandbriefbank, Dietz AG, Expo Real, Fiege, Flex Lighting Solutions, Four Parx, Garbe, Goldbeck, Goodman, greenfield development, GSE, GSK Stockmann, Habacker, Immogate, Immolox, JLL, Logivest, Panattoni, RLI Investors, Robert C. Spies, Segro, TH Real Estate, Verdion, Wisag. http://www.logix-award.de