What DFI Real Estate does

DFI Real Estate Management GmbH & Co. KG is a German project developer founded in August 2019 and headquartered in Düsseldorf, focused on sustainable industrial, logistics, and commercial real estate across Germany's top logistics regions. The company operates a Built-to-Suit model, developing custom properties for enterprise tenants in logistics, e-commerce, and food distribution (DACHSER, Galaxus, Gemüsering, vanWylick), alongside Brownfield revitalization and Greenfield acquisitions of sites ≥2 hectares near highways and in industrial zones. Six named parks are in development or recently delivered: Rastatt (~27,800 m²), Neuenburg (~33,400 m²), Kandel (~17,500 m²), Lichtenau (~19,660-20,300 m²), Hof (~22,900 m²), and Wiesau (~32,100 m²), all targeting DGNB Gold 2023 certification with PV systems, fossil-free heat pump heating, green roofs, and Smart Building integration.

Technically, DFI builds around a "Drei-Säulen-Strategie" (Architecture + Digitalization + Ecology), embedding BIM-based planning, digitalized building management (Gebäudeleittechnik), predictive maintenance referenced to combine robotics with big data and machine learning, CO2-based refrigeration for cold-chain projects, PV rooftops with Mieterstrom (tenant electricity) models via a partnership with ENVIRIA, green roofs and facades, rainwater harvesting, and EV charging infrastructure. The company is also a member of ECORE and targets WELL Building Standard compliance for occupant well-being features.

Commercially, DFI generates revenue through a mix of one-time development margins on Built-to-Suit and speculative projects (sold or co-held), recurring rental income from held properties, and recurring asset management fees on JV fund vehicles — notably the HANSA German Logistics Impact Fund (with HANSAINVEST Real Assets, Germany's first Article 9 SFDR-compliant new-build logistics fund, launched 2023) and its successor SICORE Logistics Impact Fund (with SICORE Real Assets, 2025). Distribution is exclusively direct B2B sales to enterprise tenants and institutional capital partners, with a target of ~€1 billion Gross Development Value over five years. The company is privately held as a joint venture between FOX Real Estate (Jörn Reinecke) and Managing Director Andreas Fleischer, who became sole managing shareholder in March 2021 after the company separated from Dietz AG.

Name

DFI Real Estate

Legal name

DFI Real Estate Management GmbH & Co. KG

Website

https://dfi-re.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

DFI Real Estate is a private German project developer founded in 2019 that develops sustainable, ESG-compliant Built-to-Suit logistics and industrial properties for enterprise tenants (logistics, e-commerce, food distribution) across Germany, targeting DGNB Gold certification and operating co-investment fund vehicles with institutional partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial & Logistics Real Estate Development

NAICS

Industrial Building Construction (23621), Land Subdivision (23721)

SIC

Land Subdividers & Developers (No Cemeteries) (6552), General Bldg Contractors - Nonresidential Bldgs (1540)

akta.pro primary industry

Real Estate Development Asset Management (Project/Construction-to-Stabilization) (BPAJAMAL)

Keywords

• Built-to-suit logistics
• Sustainable real estate development
• Esg-compliant logistics parks
• Brownfield revitalization
• Industrial property investment

Headquarters

HQ city

Düsseldorf

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Real Estate Development & Sale: DFI develops logistics and industrial properties (Built-to-Suit and speculative) and sells or structures ownership through joint venture funds. Revenue is generated through development margins, asset appreciation, and fund participations. The company retains long-term management of properties after completion.
2. Rental Income from Developed Properties: DFI generates rental income from its developed logistics and commercial properties. Properties are held through JV fund structures (e.g., HANSA German Logistics Impact Fund, SICORE Logistics Impact Fund) with institutional investors, while DFI retains project development and asset management responsibilities.
3. Asset Management Fees: DFI Real Estate acts as project developer and asset manager for JV fund vehicles, earning management fees on the portfolio of logistics properties under management. DFI manages logistics properties in Rastatt, Neuenburg, Kandel, Lichtenau, Hof, and Wiesau after their completion.
4. Land Acquisition & Development: DFI acquires land (Brownfield and Greenfield) in German logistics regions, obtains planning permission, develops purpose-built logistics/industrial properties, and either sells to investors or retains through fund structures. Development volume target: ~1 billion EUR GDV within five years.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

DFI Real Estate develops custom-built (Built-to-Suit) sustainable industrial, logistics, and commercial properties in Germany's top logistics regions, covering the full value chain from land acquisition and Brownfield revitalization through planning, ESG-certified construction, and long-term asset management. The company also structures and asset-manages Article 9 SFDR-compliant logistics real estate JV funds (HANSA German Logistics Impact Fund, SICORE Logistics Impact Fund) with institutional capital partners, targeting DGNB Gold 2023 certification, fossil-free heating, on-site PV systems with tenant electricity models, and circular economy / smart environment features on every project.

Product overview

DFI Real Estate is a German real estate developer offering a unified portfolio of industrial, logistics, and commercial property services centered on Built-to-Suit custom development, Brownfield Revitalization, and ESG-compliant property management. The portfolio includes six named logistics parks — DFI Logistikpark Rastatt (~27,800 sqm, pre-leased to Dachser), DFI Logistikpark Neuenburg (~33,400 sqm, pre-leased to Galaxus), DFI Logistikpark Lichtenau (~20,300 sqm, pre-leased to vanWylick), DFI Logistics Park Kandel (~18,000 sqm, pre-leased to Gemüsering), DFI Gewerbepark Hof (~22,900 sqm), and DFI Logistikpark Wiesau (~32,100 sqm) — all targeting DGNB Gold certification and featuring PV systems, fossil-free heating, and green roofs. Complementary offerings include Circular Economy Solutions, Smart Environment Solutions (Smart Building, Smart City, Smart Mobility), and Well-Being Features. DFI also acquires commercial land across Germany and participates in the HANSA German Logistics Impact Fund, Germany's first Article 9 SFDR-compliant logistics property fund. Properties are developed end-to-end from land acquisition and planning through construction to long-term property management.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Built-to-Suit Property Development Custom-built industrial, logistics, and commercial real estate developed end-to-end — from project planning and land acquisition through construction to handover — tailored to the specific operational needs of enterprise tenants (cold storage, multi-temperature zones, e-commerce fulfillment).
• Brownfield Revitalization Specialist service for decontaminating and redeveloping former industrial and military sites into modern logistics and commercial properties, removing old foundations and avoiding new land sealing.
• Circular Economy Solutions Resource-conservation and emissions-reduction package for property developments, applying the ReSOLVE framework with reusable materials, smart technology integration, aesthetic design, and Cradle-to-Cradle approaches.
• Smart Environment Solutions Digitization package combining Smart Building, Smart City, and Smart Mobility concepts to automate building systems, optimize energy use, and integrate properties with city infrastructure for efficient traffic flow and truck routing.
• Well-Being Features Building-design features promoting employee well-being — air quality through plant-based ventilation, filtered drinking water, daylight access, appropriate lighting color temperature, social spaces, fitness support, e-bike repair stations, EV charging, and WELL Building Standard compliance.
• ESG-compliant Property Development End-to-end development delivered against ESG criteria — DGNB Gold 2023 certification, PV systems, heat-pump technology, green roofs, fossil-free heating — aligned with EU Taxonomy and Article 9 SFDR requirements.
• DFI Logistikpark Rastatt Modern logistics park in Rastatt (Region Oberrhein) targeting DGNB Gold 2023, ~27,800 m² total rental space, with PV system (~1,200 kWp), heat-pump heating, green roof, pre-leased to DACHSER.
• DFI Logistikpark Neuenburg am Rhein ESG-compliant logistics property in Neuenburg am Rhein near France and Switzerland, ~33,400 m² rental space, ~2 MWp PV system, pre-leased to Galaxus (Digitec Galaxus AG), targeting DGNB Gold 2023.
• DFI Gewerbepark Hof Modern logistics property in Hof (Bavaria), ~22,900 m² rental space, DGNB Gold 2023 targeted, with fossil-free heating and PV system, in a GRW C-promotion area (25–45% subsidy eligible).
• DFI Logistikpark Wiesau Sustainable logistics park in Wiesau (Bavaria), ~32,100 m² rental space, near CONTARGO container terminal, targeting DGNB Gold 2023, with PV system and fossil-free heating, in a GRW C-promotion area.
• DFI Logistikpark Lichtenau Modern logistics property in Lichtenau near Nuremberg, ~20,300 m² rental space, targeting DGNB Gold 2023, featuring PV system, green roof, and pre-leased to vanWylick for cold storage operations.
• DFI Logistics Park Kandel ESG-compliant logistics property in Kandel, ~18,000 m² rental space, targeting DGNB Gold 2023, with PV system, green roof, fossil-free heating, pre-leased to Frischeplattform Südwest (Gemüsering Group).
• Land / Property Acquisition Services Acquisition of commercial land and properties across Germany, including Brownfield and Greenfield sites of minimum two hectares in logistics regions, along highways or in urban locations, with building rights or clear perspectives to obtain them.
• HANSA German Logistics Impact Fund Germany's first impact fund for new-build logistics real estate structured under Article 9 of the EU SFDR, launched by HANSAINVEST Real Assets and DFI Real Estate, providing institutional investors with exposure to sustainable logistics properties with comprehensive ESG requirements.

Quantifiable outcome

• Annual CO2 savings of up to 870 tonnes from the 1,800 kWp PV installation at Rastatt (~1.85 million kWh/year clean energy)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Max Bögl (Firmengruppe Max Bögl)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 22 September 2025Firmengruppe Max Bögl is the general contractor (Generalunternehmer) for the DFI Lichtenau cold storage logistics development. The project broke ground in September 2025 with delivery planned Q3 2026.
• SICORE Real AssetscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 May 2025SICORE Real Assets co-invests with DFI in the SICORE Logistics Impact Fund (successor to HANSA German Logistics Impact Fund). SICORE handles transaction and portfolio management; DFI handles project development and asset management. Properties in Kandel and Lichtenau are owned by a fund of SICORE Real Assets and DFI Real Estate. Fund targets Article 9 SFDR compliance.
• ENVIRIAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 November 2024DFI Real Estate and solar startup ENVIRIA partnered to install ~23,000 m² photovoltaic systems (1,800 kWp) on DFI's Rastatt Zukunftspark roof, producing 1.85 million kWh/year and saving 870 tonnes CO2 annually. ENVIRIA finances, builds, and operates the PV systems; tenants benefit from discounted Mieterstrom (tenant electricity). Further projects with ~14 MWp combined capacity planned.
• GOLDBECKcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 3 July 2024GOLDBECK served as general contractor (Generalunternehmer) for the DFI Neuenburg am Rhein logistics development (~33,600 m²). GOLDBECK is a leading European systems building constructor specializing in industrial and logistics properties. Groundbreaking September 2024, delivery planned Q3/Q4 2025.
• List Bau StuttgartcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 3 July 2024List Bau Stuttgart was the general contractor (Generalunternehmer) for the DFI Rastatt logistics development (~27,800 m²). Hagedorn handled demolition of the existing brownfield structures prior to construction.
• BREMER Stuttgart GmbHcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 3 July 2024BREMER Stuttgart GmbH is the general contractor (Generalunternehmer) for the DFI Kandel cold storage development (~17,500 m²), announced July 2025. BREMER is a specialist in industrial and logistics construction.
• BNP Paribas DeutschlandminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 23 May 2024BNP Paribas Deutschland advised Galaxus in its site search and facilitated the connection to DFI Real Estate for the Neuenburg am Rhein logistics development.
• RealogisminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 17 April 2024Realogis (Stuttgart office) acted as advisor/broker in mediating the DACHSER tenancy at the DFI Rastatt logistics property.
• HANSAINVEST Real AssetscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 September 2023HANSAINVEST Real Assets and DFI Real Estate formed a joint venture to create and manage the HANSA German Logistics Impact Fund — Germany's first Article 9 SFDR-compliant Neubau-logistics real estate fund. HANSAINVEST handles transaction and portfolio management; DFI handles project development and asset management. Initial portfolio includes Rastatt, Neuenburg, Kandel, and Lichtenau projects. Total planned PV capacity across fund projects: ~14 MWp.
• Baron Equity GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBaron Equity GmbH co-initiated the Kandel project development with DFI Real Estate. Baron Equity's role was in originating the Kandel brownfield opportunity. General contractor: BREMER Stuttgart GmbH.
• FOX GROUPcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFOX GROUP handles all DFI Real Estate recruitment and HR administration. All job applications for DFI are directed to [email protected]. This allows DFI to focus on core development while outsourcing talent acquisition.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Logicenters (Nrep): Logicenters is a Nordic-owned logistics real estate developer with growing German operations, developing modern Built-to-Suit and multi-let logistics facilities. They serve the same tenant segments as DFI (3PL, retail, e-commerce) and compete for similar institutional capital.
• Garbe Industrial Real Estate: Garbe is a leading German logistics and industrial real estate developer with a national footprint, developing Built-to-Suit and speculative logistics properties. They overlap directly with DFI's target customers (logistics operators, food distributors) and compete for the same institutional capital.
• VGP: VGP is one of Europe's largest pan-European developers of logistics and semi-industrial real estate, headquartered in Belgium with major German operations. They are the closest direct competitor to DFI in Built-to-Suit logistics development and ESG-compliant new-build, serving similar 3PL, e-commerce, and manufacturing tenants.
• Panattoni: Panattoni is one of the largest industrial real estate developers in Europe with significant German operations, focused on Build-to-Suit logistics parks. Their business model and customer base (logistics, e-commerce, retail) closely align with DFI's.

Emerging players

• BEOS Logistik: BEOS is a German logistics and mixed-use real estate developer with strong institutional capital partnerships. They focus on urban logistics and last-mile, with overlapping tenant profiles (3PL, e-commerce) and similar ESG positioning.
• Verdion: Verdion is a European logistics and industrial real estate developer focused on Build-to-Suit and speculative development, including brownfield redevelopments. They overlap with DFI in Germany and the broader DACH/Nordics region with comparable customer types.

Broad incumbents

• GLP: GLP is a global logistics real estate developer and fund manager with European operations headquartered in Amsterdam. They develop BTS logistics and operate institutional fund vehicles, competing with DFI for institutional capital and large-tenant mandates across Europe.
• SEGRO: SEGRO is a UK-listed REIT and one of the largest European logistics/light-industrial real estate owners-developers. Andreas Fleischer (DFI's MD) previously held senior positions at SEGRO, making it both a competitor and a talent incubator. SEGRO operates a much larger, pan-European portfolio.
• Goodman Group: Goodman is a global industrial real estate group with significant European logistics operations. Fleischer also previously worked at Goodman. They are a much larger, publicly-traded platform developing BTS and speculative logistics across Europe including Germany.
• Prologis: Prologis is the world's largest logistics REIT with extensive German holdings and development activity. While they are primarily an owner-operator of existing assets, their BTS development business and capital scale make them a broad competitive threat to DFI in serving large e-commerce and 3PL customers.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dfi-real-estate

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about DFI Real Estate