Berlin Logistics Market Defies the Odds

Berlin Logistics Market Defies the Odds

The Berlin logistics and industrial property market remained resilient in the first half of 2026, reflecting continued occupier demand for well-located, modern space. Market activity was supported by several large-scale transactions, while stable rents and limited availability in sought-after locations underlined the ongoing importance of quality logistics and industrial properties for businesses.

REALOGIS Unternehmensgruppe recorded take-up of 211,000 sq m in the Berlin logistics and industrial property market in H1 2026. Warehouse space accounted for 192,500 sq m or 91%, office space for 13,300 sq m (7%) and mezzanine space for 5,200 sq m (2%).

Warehouse take-up increased by 33,500 sq m or 21% year on year. While still 31% below the current five-year average of 277,180 sq m, the shortfall was significantly smaller than in H1 2025, when it stood at 46%.

The five largest lease transactions—JD Logistics with 41,430 sq m, ASML with 27,000 sq m, acut fulfillment with 11,520 sq m, Capital Baustoffe with 11,400 sq m and FST Industrie with 11,200 sq m—together accounted for 49% of the Berlin letting and owner-occupier market.

Alexander Ego, Managing Director of REALOGIS Immobilien Berlin GmbH, comments: “Take-up over the past six months was shaped to a significant extent by a handful of large-scale deals, with owner-occupiers in particular making an exceptionally strong contribution. At the same time, demand for modern business parks remains at a high level, although suitable space is often not available in sufficient quantities in the locations in demand.”

Rents stable at a high level

Prime rent remained unchanged at €10.50/sq m in H1 2026, temporarily halting the upward trend seen since records began in 2016. It remained 10% above the current five-year average of €9.55/sq m. Average rent also remained stable at €8.10/sq m, 7% above the five-year average of €7.60/sq m.

Existing space ahead of brownfield developments

Existing properties dominated market activity with 110,400 sq m, or 52% of total take-up. Lettings in new builds on former brownfield sites reached 91,200 sq m, or 43%, with JD Logistics and ASML accounting for three quarters of this volume. New builds on greenfield sites accounted for 9,400 sq m, or 5%.

By building type, big-box spaces led with 143,900 sq m, or 68%, followed by other properties with 34,100 sq m (16%) and business parks with 33,000 sq m. Lettings accounted for 166,600 sq m, or 79%, while owner-occupiers contributed 44,400 sq m (21%).

Berlin urban area was the strongest region

The Berlin urban area recorded the highest take-up with 93,500 sq m, or 44%. Berlin South led within the urban area with 47,900 sq m, followed by Berlin West with 22,600 sq m, Berlin North with 14,400 sq m and Berlin East with 8,600 sq m.

The surrounding area south of Berlin ranked second with 87,800 sq m, or 42%, followed by the surrounding area west of Berlin with 15,300 sq m and north of Berlin with 14,400 sq m. No take-up was recorded east of Berlin.

Logistics/Distribution leads ahead of retail and manufacturing

Logistics/Distribution ranked first with 78,100 sq m, or 37%, driven largely by JD Logistics and acut fulfillment. Retail/Wholesale followed with 56,900 sq m (27%), split almost evenly between e-commerce and traditional retail. Manufacturing ranked third with 51,000 sq m (24%), with ASML and FST Industrie accounting for 75% of this total. Supply/Others reached 25,000 sq m (12%).

Large-scale segment driven by five lease transactions

Large-scale units from 10,001 sq m remained market-defining, reaching 102,550 sq m, or 49% of total take-up. This volume was generated entirely by the five largest lease transactions of the first half of the year.

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