Fortress Real Estate Investments Limited, headquartered in South Africa, specialising in the logistics and retail property sectors, has commenced with the development of Fortress Logistics Park Zabrze with a target GLA of 77,500 sqm. The company has secured its first tenant, LIT Logistyka Polska, which has leased approximately 11,600 sqm of state-of-the-art warehousing space. Fortress Logistics Park Zabrze will be the first investment in Europe in which the company has been both investor and developer since the beginning of the investment process.
Fortress Logistics Park Zabrze is a modern Class A logistics park with a planned GLA of 77,500 sqm. Located in the centre of Upper Silesia, just 4.5 km from the nearby A1 highway hub, it provides excellent transport links to the main road networks of Poland and the entire region. Due to its urban location, the facility guarantees convenient access by public transportation.
The project’s first phase involves the construction of an approximately 23,000 sqm facility, which is scheduled for completion in the second quarter of 2024. The building will meet the highest environmental and technical standards and be equipped with photovoltaic panels, an intelligent energy monitoring system, electric vehicle charging stations, and LED lighting. Ultimately Fortress is aiming to receive BREEAM New Construction Excellent certification.
The first tenant of the park will be LIT Logistyka Polska. The company is part of the German LIT A.G. Group, which has been providing logistics services in the European market for more than 30 years. LIT Logistyka Polska has signed a long-term lease agreement for approximately 11,600 sqm of modern warehousing space in the Park, including an office and staff area.
Pawel Żaboklicki, CEO of LIT Logistyka Polska, commented: “Our parent company, LIT Spedycja Polska, has been successful in the freight forwarding market for over 20 years. In recent years we have experienced high growth in the logistics (3PL) sector. We were looking for warehousing space that would give us convenient access to the Upper Silesian market, which is key to our business due to the presence of the automotive sector. The warehouse in Zabrze is our second but largest property in Poland. We believe that our long-term cooperation with Fortress will allow us to improve our business operations in the Polish market”.
Fortress Logistics Park Zabrze is another Fortress investment in the European market. The company already has properties in Stargard, Bydgoszcz, Głuchów near Łódź, and Bucharest. The investment in Zabrze, however, will be the first in Europe to be completed by Fortress as the Park’s investor, developer, asset manager and owner.
Aleksander Kobyliński, Senior Leasing & Asset Manager at Fortress Real Estate Investment, said: “We offer our tenants stability, flexibility and a guarantee that their investment will be delivered on time and to the highest standard. At Fortress, we are responsible for the investment in Zabrze at every stage of development. What’s more, it will be entirely financed with our funds. This makes us a decisive and reliable business partner for our tenants, delivering modern spaces fully tailored to their requirements. Under this model, we plan further development in the European logistics market, which provides ample opportunities for growth.”
Mariusz Słowiński, Business Development Manager with LIT Logistyka Poland, added: “When looking for a new warehouse space for our company, the key factors were location, the innovation of the proposed solutions and the possibility of establishing a long-term partnership with the lessor. Fortress’ operating model provides us with independence, stability and flexibility. We believe that this will be a long-term cooperation.”
