Prologis unveils CONNECT Paris, A 67,000 sq.m. urban logistics hub designed for last-mile distribution in the 17th arrondissement of Paris Paris, October 17, 2024 – Prologis, the global leader in logistics real estate, is unveiling CONNECT Paris, a five-storey 67,000 sq.m. urban logistics hub in the Clichy-Batignolles ZAC (urban development zone) in the 17th arrondissement of Paris, just weeks after definitive building permits permission. This innovative project marks a turning point for urban logistics in France: it is in line with the environmental, economic and social objectives of the City of Paris and provides a practical response to the challenges of last-mile logistics in the context of the steady growth of e-commerce and the need to comply with environmental requirements.

 “CONNECT Paris is an ambitious, avant-garde and resolutely disruptive project. It is the first urban logistics hub of this scale in a European metropolis. This innovative, sustainably designed, multi-storey hub redefines the standards of last-mile logistics on a European scale. Perfectly integrated into its surroundings, it has been designed to meet the needs of businesses, public institutions and local residents. For Prologis, CONNECT Paris is the new European benchmark for urban distribution, perfectly embodies our vision for the future of logistics.” said Sandro Innocenti, SVP Regional Head Head at Prologis Southern Europe.

A benchmark in France and Europe

With its vertical architecture, unique in Europe, optimizing space while reducing land use, CONNECT Paris draws on Prologis’s expertise, especially in Japan, where limited available space has made multi-storey warehouses the standard. 

This project, unprecedented in scale in both France and Europe, strengthens Prologis’s position as a major player in urban logistics and relfects its commitment as a long-term investor to actively contribute to the local area development. It is the result of exemplary collaboration with the City of Paris and government agencies. This cooperative approach enables CONNECT Paris to respond to the growing demand for logistics infrastructure in the Île-de-France region while reducing the environmental impact of distribution activities. 

“Prologis is committed to developing a new urban parcel hub that will significantly enhance this district and Paris as a whole. Thanks to close collaboration between the 17th arrondissement authorities and Prologis, the project aims to reduce the inconveniences associated with goods transport by replacing polluting vehicles with electric alternatives, thereby contributing to a better quality of life for local residents. As Mayor of the 17th arrondissement, I am delighted to support this initiative, which is perfectly in line with our commitment to sustainable development and promises to create new jobs while promoting a healthier and more pleasant environment for everyone,” said Geoffroy Boulard, Mayor of the 17th arrondissement of Paris. 

Strategic location in the west of Paris, benefiting from hyper-connectivity 

Located in the Clichy-Batignolles urban development zone (ZAC), CONNECT Paris will be a pioneering project in an area undergoing a significant transformation characterized by dynamic mixed-use developments (shops, offices, services, institutions, company headquarters, etc.) within a particularly vibrant local community. 

Close to the Central Business District (CBD) and the Champs-Elysées, and connected to the Boulevard Périphérique, the hub offers unmatched access to major roads and motorways (A1, A13 and A15), as well as to airports and public transport in the Paris region. This makes it the key logistics gateway to the inner west of Paris. 

The hub will also be linked to the rail network via a dedicated branch line, further enhancing its connectivity and enabling the efficient handling of multimodal flows. This exceptional accessibility is a major advantage for businesses in Paris and the surrounding areas. 

Operation based exclusively on soft mobility to reduce congestion in the French capital

CONNECT Paris is a core element of the City of Paris’s 2022-2026 urban logistics strategy, which prioritizes soft mobility. The hub’s design has been tailored to enable operations that rely exclusively on non-polluting soft and electric mobility solutions.

Strategically located to capture the flow of goods entering the city, CONNECT Paris meets the demand for fast, environmentally friendly logistics. The hub is designed to ease congestion in Paris by providing efficient access for light commercial vehicles (LCVs) and electric cargo bikes. Eventually, all parking spaces at CONNECT Paris will be equipped with electric charging stations. 

Each of the five levels will also feature loading and unloading areas suitable for cargo bikes and zero-emission vehicles, enhancing the efficiency of urban distribution. 

The platform will be accessible to 38-tonne heavy goods vehicles HGVs via a two-way circular ramp with a gentle gradient. Additionally each floor will have four extra HGV bays, which can also be equipped with electric charging stations. 

Clear environmental ambition

CONNECT Paris is an environmentally exemplary building, fully aligned with Prologis’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality across its entire value chain by 2040. The mixed-use structure is constructed using sustainable materials with timber used for the frame and top floor offices offering sweeping views, while the remainder of the building incorporates locally sourced, certified low-carbon precast concrete and bio-sourced facades. 

The project also includes green spaces designed to restore biodiversity (cooling islands, climate shelter, landscaped garden, green roof, etc.) and deliver excellent energy efficiency. The hub will be connected to the City of Paris geothermal network (CPCU) and will feature approximately 4,000 sq.m. of solar panels. 

Moreover, during the construction phase, CONNECT Paris will be classified as an “exemplary” site, complying with a charter based on the management of air quality, CO2 emissions and pollutant discharges, as well as the monitoring of its impact on the ecosystem. 

With these measures in place, CONNECT Paris aims for BREEAM Excellent environmental certification and the BiodiverCity label. 

“Our fruitful collaboration with the 17th arrondissement, the City of Paris and government agencies has enabled us to fully meet their expectations as well as those of the local community. This innovative project, which challenges many preconceptions about last-mile distribution and vertical construction, will not only cut logistics costs, but also significantly reduce the carbon footprint. It will foster a harmonious coexistence between goods flows and local residents, while meeting the CSR objectives of surrounding businesses and public services. CONNECT Paris embodies Prologis’s vision of more sustainable and responsible urban logistics,” said Vincent Sadé, Vice President and Head of Capital Deployment at Prologis France. 

Flexible logistics tailored to companies’ needs

CONNECT Paris will feature a modular design with flexible platforms across five operational levels, easily adapting to the diverse logisticals needs of companies. 

The spaces will also be adaptable will the ability to accommodate offices on each floor, providing a high degree of flexibility in use. This pioneering hub in France aims to radically transform urban logistics, combining economic performance with corporate social and environmental responsibility (CSER). 

“With this project, we have done everything possible to respond to a legitimate societal aspiration for a more pleasant city life for all residents. Its numerous innovations will make CONNECT Paris a hub that is both flexible and responsible, actively contributing to improving the flo and routing of goods in Paris,” said Paul Janssen, Head of Construction at Prologis France. 

CONNECT Paris, key figures

• 67,000 sq.m. of operating space 
• 5 logistics levels 
• 1 panoramic office level 
• 1 undergroung parking level, with 330 spaces and charging stations for electric vehicles 

CONNECT Paris, key features

• Maximum height: 5.50 m 
• Clear height: 4.80 m minimum 
• Maximum load: traffic routes, truck yard and logistics areas:1.5 tonnes/sqm and 2 tonnes/sqm per square metre (garden level) 
• Number of docks: 8 bays per level 
• Targeted certifications: BREEAM “Excellent” level and BiodiverCity label 

CONNECT Paris, key dates 

• Land purchase: Q4-2021 
• Building permit cleared of all appeals: September 2024 
• Construction (target): Q3-2025 
• Expected Handover (target): Q2-2027