Key project specifications
- 58,000 m² plot
- 12,000 m² warehouse
- Construction time: 12 months
Special features
- 38 truck parking spaces fitted with electric charging points for the cooling of trailers
- DGNB Gold sustainabilty certification
- Dedicated drivers lounge area
Situation
Lidl relies on regional logistics centers to streamline it’s distribution network, reduce mileage, and, above all, ensure the high quality of its fresh products. In Hollfeld we developed a state-of-the-art, energy-efficient, build-to-suit logistics property for Lidl, designed for efficient pallet handling and the distribution of dairy products, fresh produce, and dry goods.
Solution
In the planning and design of the cold storage facility, the focus was not only on Lidl’s specific requirements but, above all, on the project’s sustainability: The environmental impact was to be minimized even during construction.
To that end, the team first took care to reduce earthwork to the absolute minimum. As little concrete as possible was used, and only low-carbon steel with a high recycled content was employed in the construction. To enhance the site’s ecological value, trees were planted in addition to wildflower meadows. The 38 truck parking spaces are equipped with electric charging stations, allowing refrigerated trailers to be powered electrically—and thus silently.
Building area usage
- 7,500 m² refrigerated area
- 3,800 m² for dry-food logistics
- 800 m² empty pallet storage
- 1,300 m² of office space
The team also placed special emphasis on sustainability and energy efficiency when it came to the facility’s design. The heat recovery system uses waste heat from the cooling system to heat the entire warehouse and the administrative wing. This means that no fossil fuels are required. The cooling system itself operates using natural refrigerants. A large-scale photovoltaic system was installed on the building’s roof to generate electricity for operations. Rainwater harvesting reduces the facility’s water consumption.
The façade design, and landscaping of the facility were designed to blend the buildings into the surrounding natural environment. A bright, modern work environment was created for the approximately 80 employees, and an additional “Drivers Lounge” with restroom facilities was designed for long-haul truck drivers.
Sustainability
- Concrete-minimised construction
- exclusive use of CO–reduced steel with a high recycled content
- Wildflower meadows and trees planted.
- Waste heat from the cooling system heats the warehouse and administration building.
- large-scale photovoltaic system
- Rainwater harvesting
Project outcome
The logistics centre comprises approximately 7,500 m² of refrigerated storage, 3,800 m² for dry goods, an empty pallet warehouse of nearly 800 m² and office space of around 1,300 m² . The site’s proximity to the A70 motorway provides excellent links to transport networks and allows for rapid distribution of goods in southern Germany and Austria. The refrigerated warehouse, operated by Lidl’s long-standing logistics partner ThermoLog, was completed at the end of February 2026.
In developing the build-to-suit cold storage facility, the German team worked closely with local authorities to understand and incorporate the community’s needs into the design, planning, and execution of the project. This resulted in a cold storage solution tailored specifically for Lidl, which, despite its minimized environmental footprint and aesthetically pleasing design, makes no compromises in terms of energy efficiency and productivity.
