Executive Summary

The market for small-scale business parks is developing into an independent asset class within corporate real estate. Units between 150 and 300 square metres in particular benefit from demand from trades, e-commerce, urban production, services and regional logistics. The combination of space scarcity, rising rents and high user diversification leads to attractive investment conditions.

Germany Market Overview

The German commercial real estate market is in a stabilisation phase after the market adjustments of 2023 to 2025. Business parks and light-industrial properties are among the most resilient segments. Users are looking for flexible, affordable and well-connected spaces. Smaller units in particular are undersupplied in many places.

Demand Analysis

Small and medium-sized enterprises prefer modular space concepts. Typical users are plumbing and HVAC businesses, electrical engineering companies, online retailers, service companies, building technology firms, workshops and light production operations. Combinations of storage, workshop and office space are frequently in demand.

Regional Analysis

The regions of Rhine-Ruhr, Berlin, Hamburg, Frankfurt/Rhine-Main, Munich and Stuttgart are developing particularly dynamically. In the Rhine-Ruhr area, there are very good prospects for new business park developments due to high business density and limited modern space.

Rental Market

New-build space in modern business parks achieves attractive rents depending on location, equipment and ESG quality. Metropolitan areas continue to show rising rent levels. Flexible space layouts and modern technical equipment significantly increase letability.

Investment Market

Investors appreciate business parks because of their broad tenant base. Unlike single-tenant properties, rent default risks are more widely distributed. This supports stable cash flows and long-term value retention.

ESG and Sustainability

Photovoltaics, charging infrastructure, energy-efficient building envelopes, heat pumps and digital building technology are becoming standard. Sustainable buildings achieve competitive advantages in letting and financing.

SWOT Analysis

  • Strengths: high demand, diversified tenant structure, flexible use.
  • Weaknesses: rising construction costs.
  • Opportunities: urbanisation, e-commerce, re-industrialisation.
  • Risks: economic weakness and regulatory requirements.

Business Case Rhine-Ruhr

Projects in Mülheim an der Ruhr, Essen, Duisburg and Oberhausen have good framework conditions. Proximity to motorways, logistics axes and industrial value-creation centres supports demand for modern commercial units.

Forecast to 2030

Demand for small-scale commercial units is likely to remain structurally high. Business parks will gain importance as urban infrastructure for trades, services and regional production.

Conclusion

The segment of business parks with units between 150 and 300 m² offers attractive development prospects from today's perspective. The Rhine-Ruhr area in particular is one of the most promising locations in Germany.

Appendix: Illustrative Rent Levels

| Region | Rent level €/m² | | --- | --- | | Rhine-Ruhr | 7–11 | | Berlin | 10–14 | | Frankfurt | 10–15 | | Hamburg | 9–14 | | Munich | 12–18 |