REALOGIS: Logistics and industrial space market in North Rhine-Westphalia again with over 1 million square metres of take-up in 2025

• 1,147,000 m² of take-up in the markets of Cologne, Düsseldorf and the Ruhr region together
• Rents in all three sub-markets at previous year's level
• Ruhr area remains the largest sub-market ahead of Düsseldorf and Cologne
• Logistics/freight forwarding is the strongest user group, e-commerce shapes retail
• Brownfield new buildings are gaining significantly in importance
• The five largest deals were between 34,000 m² and 86,000 m²

Düsseldorf, 23 February 2026 – The REALOGIS Group, Germany's leading consulting firm for industrial and logistics real estate as well as commercial properties, has registered take-up of 1,147,000 m² in the logistics and industrial real estate market in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) as a whole in 2025. This was the first time in two years that the 1 million square metre mark was exceeded. The evaluation is based on the market data of the REALOGIS Group for the sub-markets of Düsseldorf, Cologne and the Ruhr region.

Compared to the previous year, this corresponds to an increase of 203,900 m² or 22% (2024: 943,100 m²). The 5-year average of 1,072,546 m² was exceeded by 7%. The five largest deals were accounted for by Amazon (86,000 m²), FIEGE (55,000 m²), Goodcang (43,200 m²), Blitz Distribution (37,000 m²) and Winnet (36,000 m²).

Rents: No change, Düsseldorf remains the most expensive submarket

The most expensive market in North Rhine-Westphalia continues to be Düsseldorf. This applies to both prime and average rents. They were €8.25/m² and €7.00/m² respectively. For Cologne, €8.00/m² and €6.85/m respectively were registered, and for the Ruhr area, €7.75/m² and €6.50/m² respectively. All figures are unchanged compared to the full year 2024 and the 1st half of 2025.

Submarkets: Ruhr area grows, Düsseldorf and Cologne below previous year

The Ruhr region remained the sub-market with the highest take-up in 2025, accounting for 603,200 m². Düsseldorf reached 299,000 m², Cologne 244,800 m². In a year-on-year comparison, the Ruhr area grew by 75%, while Düsseldorf remained 6% and Cologne 12% below the previous year's level.

Land types: Existing stock remains in the lead, brownfields gain significantly

Across North Rhine-Westphalia, 587,800 m², or 51% of take-up, was accounted for by existing space. New buildings on former brownfields reached 350,200 m² (31%), new buildings on greenfield sites 209,000 m² (18%).

User groups: Logistics/freight forwarding leads, trade remains strong

Logistics and freight forwarding accounted for 686,200 m² or 60% of take-up. Retail reached 261,200 m² (23%), of which 191,200 m² came from e-commerce. Industry and production accounted for 145,700 m² (13%), others for 53,900 m² (4%).

Size classes: Large contracts remain market-defining

Deals of 10,001 m² or more accounted for 893,000 m² or 78% of take-up. Areas between 5,001 m² and 10,000 m² came to 104,300 m², 3,001 m² to 5,000 m² to 72,000 m², 1,000 m² to 3,000 m² to 64,500 m². Very small areas of less than 1,000 m² reached 13,200 m².

REALOGIS. The No. 1 in industrial and logistics real estate

The REALOGIS Group is Germany's leading address for advising and brokering industrial and logistics properties as well as commercial properties. As an owner-managed company with locations in Berlin, Düsseldorf, Germany South/North, Frankfurt am Main, Hamburg, Leipzig, Munich and Stuttgart, the company, founded in 2005, has in-depth market knowledge and more than twenty years of experience in the German real estate sector.

Around 70 employees support national and international companies from logistics, industry, trade and e-commerce as well as private and institutional investors. The range of services includes the mediation of tenants for existing and new properties, the support of investors in acquisitions and project developments, advice on the search for or sale of land as well as the development and implementation of holistic real estate strategies, from location analysis to the realisation of assets that are no longer necessary for operation.

Contact MediaTarga Communications
Arne DegenerT +49 151 196 933 90E ad@targacommunications.de