Alides, the Ghent property developer and investor, has purchased Gdańsk’s impressive Waterside office complex. The building boasts a marketable surface of 9,320 sqm in an absolute top location in the historic Old Town. This is Alides’ second acquisition in the booming Polish port, following the purchase of the Imperial Shipyards in 2017 together with Revive. The purchase fits perfectly into the family group’s ambitious growth strategy, which focuses on acquiring top strategic locations with long-term potential, both in the core cities at home as well as in Poland and Luxembourg.
A site that matches the ambition of Alides
“Gdańsk is a historic city and we are very excited about strengthening our position here,” says CEO Rikkert Leeman. “After the Imperial Shipyards, we now have another strategic location in our portfolio with Waterside. The building complex is located along the water, close to the old town and marina, in a dynamic neighbourhood that is being strongly upgraded. In short, a location that perfectly matches our ambition,” commented Rikkert Leeman, CEO Alides
In addition to offices, the complex also houses a bank, various shops and a hostel. Alides intends to keep the complex, which consists of five buildings, in its portfolio. It will continue to be rented out for the time being, with the perspective of looking at all redevelopment avenues in the medium term. “The potential of the site is enormous,” adds Rikkert Leeman. “The intention is to redevelop the property in the medium term into a mixed-use project that meets the needs and qualities of the surrounding neighbourhood. We are thinking of retail, offices and flats with a view of the water that is close to the historic centre of Gdańsk.”
Alides bought the building from institutional investor DEKA Immobilien, under the guidance of real estate agent CBRE Poland. On the buyer’s side, Alides was assisted by the Dentons Poland Real Estate team, supervised by Maciej Jodkowski, partner, with the assistance of Karol Lewandowski, associate. The purchase price will not be disclosed.
“CBRE are proud to have supported our client Alides REIM BV in their acquisition of Waterside. We’re extremely grateful for the professionalism and determination of the Alides team throughout the process and we look forward to working with them again in the nearest future,” according to Jonathan O’Neill, CBRE Poland.
Strategically important position
The Waterside complex is located along Dlugie Ogrody Street, in a prominent location by the Motlawa River. The location provides quick access both to the historic city centre as well as to the vibrant economic environment of the Tri-City metropolitan area, being Poland’s fourth-largest metropolitan area with a population approaching 1 million. Tri-City is one of Poland’s most dynamic and fast-growing areas.
Dlugie Ogrody Street is served by trams and buses, and Gdańsk Central Station is 3.6 km from the building. Gdańsk airport is located just 18km from the Waterside.
History and economic growth
Gdańsk is one of Poland’s so-called Hanseatic cities located on the Baltic coast, with a very rich history and heritage. It was one of the most important seaports in the northern European Hanseatic League from the Middle Ages onwards, and the place where the first bomb of WWII was dropped. In the ’70s and ‘80s, during the communist regime, striking workers from the Gdańsk shipyards fought with the Government of the Polish People’s Republic. The shipyard became the cradle of the “Solidarnosc” movement, led by Lech Walesa. In 1980, this was one of the first dominos to fall for communism across Europe.
The Gdańsk Marina, Granary Island and Old Town are just a stone’s throw away. Numerous residential, commercial and public developments make the area an economically dynamic, up-and-coming district with a strong appeal for tourism. Granaria Gdańsk, located just across the river from Waterside, was recently nominated as one of the four finalists for the prestigious MIPIM awards.