A corresponding purchase agreement was signed by both companies. Together with the approximately 130,000 sqm already acquired a year ago, VGP plans to establish an innovative, sophisticated office and technology quarter in the Rhine-Neckar metropoli-tan region in close cooperation with Heidelberg. The first construction measures in the Hei-Tech industrial park are scheduled to take place as early as calendar year 2022.

“We are delighted to be able to take the next step in the development of our HEI-TECH industrial park in Wiesloch- Walldorf with VGP,” said Heidelberg CEO Rainer Hundsdörfer, who is stepping down next April.

Hundsdörfer added, “For us, it is crucial that new, forward-looking developments are now being created quickly and visibly in our industrial park with modern commercial and industrial uses - with qualified, good jobs for people in the region and synergies with Heidelberg’s capabilities. The industrial park is another component of our successful transformation into a technology company. In addition, more efficient use of space at Heidelberg will save us considerable costs in the future.”

VGP is headquartered in Belgium and operates 94 industrial parks across 12 European countries.

Jan Van Geet, CEO of VGP, said, “We are very pleased that we have succeeded in acquiring this unique property. In close and trusting cooperation with the seller Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG and the responsible parties of the cities of Wiesloch and Walldorf, we were able to realize the acquisition very quickly. We plan to strategically realign the site and develop a modern industrial and commercial park here for long-term tenants from a variety of sectors. In this way, we want to make a sustainable contribution to the creation of new jobs and the economic development of the region.”

Van Geet added, “Sustainability and energy efficiency are key parameters for the properties developed by VGP. These aspects will also play a central role in the development in Wiesloch/Walldorf.”