With the signing of a project agreement, the starting signal for the development of the large-scale projects "Gateway" and "Crossroads" on the industrial site Fusion Cologne in the north of Cologne has been given. With an investment volume of more than 250 million euros, the project aims to "set standards for sustainable and innovative industrial and logistics areas." This was announced by Fusion Cologne GmbH and the Thesauros Group on May 16. The realization of both projects is to be completed by 2030.
To realize the two large projects, the partners are each focusing on their core competencies. Thesauros takes responsibility for financing through a regulated AIF (Alternative Investment Fund) and manages investor management and marketing. Fusion Cologne takes responsibility for the creation of building rights and operational project management. Both projects are being developed on leasehold plots of Häfen und Güterverkehr Köln AG (HGK), the logistics company within the Stadtwerke Köln group.
The two
multilevel properties are being developed on a 101,000 square meter area and will offer a total usable area of 157,000 square meters of gross floor area (GFA). As the centerpiece of the "Fusion Cologne" industrial quarter, the two properties are to provide a new home for logistics service providers, manufacturing companies, as well as research and development in the future.
Parking decks for cars to be created between two truck loading decks
According to the information provided, future tenants will have access to appropriate high-bay storage areas as well as office and mezzanine spaces. Parking decks for cars are to be created between two truck loading decks. The hall areas can each be divided into up to six independent units. The building application for the "Crossroads" project is to be submitted by 2025. Construction is scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2027. The "Gateway" project will begin – with a time delay –
six months later.
Gateway and Crossroads have direct access to the international rail network, a connection to the Niehl port with direct connections by inland ship and train to the western ports of Rotterdam and Antwerp, the German North Sea ports, and the industries along the Rhine. The A1, A3, and A57 motorways can be reached within minutes. Cologne-Bonn Airport, with one of Europe's most important air freight centers, is 20 minutes away and offers 24/7 operations.
Renewable energies and low-emission logistics
Thesauros and Fusion Cologne report that they rely on a sustainable business model. The entire new quarter is to be climate-neutral by 2035. The core building blocks are to be renewable energies and low-emission logistics. According to the companies, central components include the use of district heating from the neighboring waste incineration plant and electricity supply through large-scale photovoltaic systems. Additionally, up to 40 percent of the facades are to be greened.
Both
the buildings and the entire quarter aim for DGNB certifications (German Sustainable Building Council) in gold.
"Crossroads and Gateway are exemplary of our ambition to create sustainable and innovative real estate," explained Simon Michels, COO of the Thesauros Group, regarding the projects' goals. "These projects mean much more to us than just new buildings. They symbolize our commitment to sustainable and forward-thinking urban development, which Cologne will benefit from in the long term," said Willi Michels, CEO and founder of the Thesauros Group.
"We are very much looking forward to working with Thesauros. It allows us to successfully implement our vision of 'Fusion Cologne' - a high-quality and innovative logistics and industrial quarter," said Uwe Wedig, CEO of HGK AG.
"This will make Cologne the leading location for multilevel logistics in Germany. This is not an end in itself, but the consistent implementation of modern harbor and urban development," added Peter Trapp, CEO of Fusion
