Sustainable, strategic and forward-looking

With €1.3 billion in assets under management and a portfolio of 46 logistics sites in Belgium and the Netherlands, Intervest is an established player in the logistics real estate market. Since July 2024, Stijn Van achter has been the company's Country Director Belgium. In this interview, he highlights some striking real estate projects and explains how Intervest responds to the major challenges in the sector: scarce space, increasing sustainability requirements and an increasingly complex permitting context.

Intervest was founded in 1996 and was acquired by U.S. investment fund TPG in the spring of 2024. "We continue to operate as a long-term investor and focus on quality, sustainable logistics sites," says Stijn Van achter. "Together with my team, I am responsible for the operational management of our Belgian portfolio, representing 25 sites and a significant share of the total value of our turnover."

Herstal Logistics: modular flexibility at the tri-border point

Intervest's latest development is located in Herstal, in the logistics hotspot of the Meuse-Rhine Euregion. Located a stone's throw from the junction between Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany, the site will be completed by the end of 2025. "The speculative project consists of four modular units that can be leased in different combinations. Thus, a customer can occupy one, two, three or all four units - depending on his growth path," Van achter confirmed.

The campus layout offers maximum scalability for users in sectors such as e-commerce, distribution or light manufacturing. With a clear height of 13.7 meters, the building also responds to the need for more efficient use of space. "We make maximum use of the available land, while ensuring flexibility toward the future."

Zeebrugge Green Logistics: hub of multimodality

On the Belgian coast, Intervest manages a second key project: Zeebrugge Green Logistics. "This site is a paragon of multimodal logistics thinking," said the Intervest top executive. "It is located in the port of Zeebrugge, with direct access to ocean shipping, rail, road and inland navigation."

The various units feature multiple loading and unloading docks and are designed for intensive logistics activity. The project is strongly committed to sustainability, including solar panels, rainwater recovery, energy-efficient LED lighting. The combination of a strategic location and modern infrastructure makes Zeebrugge Green Logistics a unique hub for international distribution.

Genk Green Logistics: reconversion with ambition

A third notable project is Genk Green Logistics, on the site of the former Ford car plant. With a total area of 42 hectares, this is one of the largest brownfield reconversions in Belgium. "We are giving this site new economic significance," says Van achter. "The project focuses on both logistics and production-related activities, which is quite unique."

The site is close to the Albert Canal, the E313 and a rail terminal - enabling seamless multimodal connectivity. Genk Green Logistics has been designed with energy efficiency and circularity in mind, and is aiming for a BREEAM Excellent certification. "Sustainability is central, but at the same time we are realistic: investments must remain feasible and profitable for our customers," Van achter emphasizes.

Smart use of space and sustainability

The logistics real estate market is evolving rapidly. Pressure on space is enormous, and at the same time buildings are becoming more and more specific. "As an end investor, we look at the full life cycle of a building," says Van achter. "Automation and high-rise buildings can be interesting, but they also limit the reusability of a building. So flexibility remains crucial."

Still, building higher is sometimes a logical choice. "In Herstal, we build up to 13.7 meters high. That's considerable and allows you to get more volume out of the same ground. In places where space is scarce, that's just necessary."

Another clear trend is the reconversion of obsolete or contaminated sites. "Greenfields are almost unfindable in Belgium. That is why we are putting a lot of effort into the reconversion of brownfields. This contributes to the upgrading of urban areas and generates goodwill with local governments."

Building with the long term in mind

Permit procedures remain a tricky issue for those looking to invest in logistics real estate. "Realizing a new construction site requires a lot of time, consultation and preparation," admits Van achter. "A thorough preliminary discussion with all stakeholders is indispensable. In Herstal, we are replacing an old factory with a future-oriented logistics hub. That is an investment in the region as well as in sustainable economic activity."

Intervest also sets the bar high in terms of sustainability. "Customers demand sustainable solutions. Banks or investors also expect this. In Herstal we are aiming for a BREEAM Outstanding certificate, in Genk for BREEAM Excellent."

Still, Intervest keeps its feet on the ground. "Sustainability must always be balanced. The additional investment in technology must pay off for the customer, otherwise it is not sustainable. We want to demonstrate that sustainable choices reduce long-term operating costs."