The four finalists for the Logix Award 2021 have been determined

The four finalists for the Logix Award 2021 have been determined. An independent jury, chaired by Prof. Dr. Christian Kille, met on July 28, 2021, in Würzburg and had to decide from a dense field of high-caliber applicants. The award ceremony for the Logix Award will take place on October 11, 2021, during Expo Real in Munich.

(Weiterstadt) The Logix Award 2021, the award for outstanding logistics real estate projects in Germany, which is awarded every two years, is entering its final phase. On July 28, the independent jury met at the University of Würzburg under its chairman, Prof. Dr. Christian Kille, University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt, FHWS. The jury evaluated and discussed a total of nine projects that had previously emerged as nominees from around 20 submitted applications.

For the first time, an interactive evaluation process was used, which, with the help of a heatmap, captures the award-worthiness of the projects based on the relevant application criteria. Logistics properties that meet the demands of users and investors to a high degree, as well as stand out in ecological, social, economic, and urban planning aspects, will be awarded.

To determine the four finalists from which the winner of the Logix Award 2021 will ultimately emerge, the jury members first formed two groups and then overlapped their results. In the end, four projects remained in the running. Prof. Kille stated: “The applicant field was extremely dense this year, leading to intense discussions among the jury about the finalists and the winning property.” It is striking that the theme of ecological sustainability has arrived among all applicants for the Logix Award: “The four finalists were able to demonstrate a clear uniqueness in other areas of the process up to completion compared to their competitors,” Kille said.

The four selected logistics properties

• Baytree Deutschland GmbH, distribution center for Samsung SDS Europe, Magdeburg: The project, with around 64,000 sqm of logistics space, is particularly characterized by numerous measures for the well-being of employees, including outdoor terraces, an orchard, and a pond, an appealing exterior design, a high ecological standard, as well as high third-party usability and good transport connections.
• Dietz AG, distribution center for Puma, Geiselwind: For the jury, the successful settlement process involving all parties and cooperation with the municipality, the comprehensive sustainability package (LEED Gold certification), the strategic importance of bundling B2B (retail) and B2C logistics (e-commerce) at one location, and the comprehensive consideration of social aspects were decisive for the selection of the property with around 64,000 sqm of logistics space.
• GARBE Industrial Real Estate GmbH, logistics center for Amazon, Achim: Here, the jury particularly appreciated the multi-story design of the logistics center using innovative robotic technology as a response to the ongoing shortage of space, the high number of jobs created (currently already 1,900 jobs), the involvement of the public and stakeholders in direct dialogue, the comprehensive sustainability measures (DGNB Platinum certification), the enhancement of public space, and extensive social measures.
• Prologis Germany Management GmbH, distribution center for the online retailer Euziel International, Datteln: This property is primarily the first logistics property with WELL Platinum standard (monitoring of air quality and climate measurement, noise level reduction, greening of the interior, drinking water dispensers, and numerous tea kitchens, living zone, appealing outdoor areas). The jury also rated the elaborate redevelopment of the industrial wasteland with around 50,000 sqm in the structurally transformed Ruhr area as particularly award-worthy. In addition, the property is certified according to DGNB Platinum and impresses with very good transport connections that allow for trimodal use.

Two years ago extraordinary – today standard

Dr. Malte-Maria Münchow, spokesperson for the Logix Initiative and head of acquisition and sale of special real estate at Deka Immobilien Investment GmbH, commented on the result: “It is not surprising that significant discussions were needed for the jury to identify the truly outstanding finalists. What was extraordinary two years ago is already in the realm of standard today. Therefore, this year, the projects that go a step further in various aspects, are more innovative, and thus stand out from the overall very good field are in the lead.”

Which project will ultimately receive the coveted award remains under wraps until October 11, 2021. Only during the festive award ceremony at the Expo Real trade fair for commercial real estate in Munich will the Logix Award winner 2021 be announced from among the finalists. As of now, the Expo Real will be held as an in-person event.

Distinguished jury decides

In addition to Prof. Christian Kille, the jury includes the following members: Dr. Claus-Peter Amberger, board member of the logistics service provider LOXXESS AG; Alexander Handschuh, German Association of Towns and Municipalities; Doreen Kruschina, planning and construction management; Wolfgang Kühling, Kühling architectural office; Robert Mergens, DP DHL Corporate Real Estate Management; Matthias Pieringer, Huss Verlag, and Uwe Veres-Homm, Fraunhofer Institute Working Group SCS.

Photo: © Logix