Where do Antwerp, Brussels and Wallonia differ when it comes to industry?

Flemish industrial property is no longer the attractive proposition it once was. More and more businesses and developers are shifting their focus toward Wallonia as a response. Why exactly is this happening? How is our industry evolving? What does the industrial landscape look like today? Here at Structura.biz, we know every region like the back of our hand. We’ll guide you through the details and give you a sneak peek of our unique, region-specific approach.

#1 Off-market deals in the industrial heart of Flanders along the A12 and E19 motorways

Industry has long flocked to the busy logistics corridor between Antwerp and Brussels, along the A12 and E19 motorways. In fact, this is the beating logistical heart of Flanders. Both local entrepreneurs and international and national players have staked out their spot here. With units ranging from small SMEs to monumental warehouses, this region stands out as a dynamic, dense breeding ground for all kinds of enterprise.

Up until four or five years ago, you’d be lucky to find a vacant plot in this logistical hotspot. Owners had free rein, and prospective tenants faced a real struggle to get their hands on a vacant building. Over a period of just a few years, prices have shot up exponentially. Even though vacant properties remain a rarity, potential tenants have a little more choice as a result. Sustainable and perfectly situated properties remain in high demand. If that leaves you wondering how exactly we go about our business in this region, the answer is straightforward: we almost always go off market.

#2 A fragmented industrial landscape on the Brussels periphery

On the southern and western periphery of Brussels, we don’t see any clearly defined industrial areas, but a fragmented landscape of warehouses, shops and residential properties instead. From Sint-Pieters-Leeuw and Drogenbos to Halle and Anderlecht: the market here is super-local, without any major investors. The enquiries we get vary enormously. For that reason, we subject every enquiry to an in-depth quality check.

In the past, properties in Brussels were largely sold directly to end users. A few years ago, that trend shifted toward project developers of residential sites. Today, due to the rising cost of construction and the up-and-down nature of residential sales, more and more buildings are once again sticking with their industrial purpose. At the same time, demand for industrial zones in this region has shot up significantly. Sites with some degree of outdoor space or parking facilities are the holy grail here.

#3 Ever more industrial activity in Wallonia

Just like in Flemish Brabant, plots in Walloon Brabant have become extremely scarce over the past few years. In response, businesses looking for new opportunities have no option but to move deeper into Wallonia. The result is an upturn in popularity elsewhere in this region. Industry has since become a fixture in the Hainault and Namur landscape too, for example. The right properties in the right locations are flying off the shelves here.

It is abundantly clear that industry faces limited options these days in Flanders and Walloon Brabant. Developers looking for new sites are venturing deeper and deeper into Wallonia. That said, smaller businesses and local entrepreneurs too are quickly taking to the Walloon landscape — something of a remarkable trend. New industrial activities are shooting up all over the place, and old industrial sites are being given a new lease of life as new projects.

Your industrial property consultant since 2001

Structura.biz has been the market leader in industrial property for three years running. Our eight-strong team boast over 50 years of experience between them and expertly takes care of every aspect of the process. We know the various industrial hubs inside out, we know who owns or rents what and where, and we keep a close eye on market prices. Throw our transparent communication, personal approach and unrivalled network into the mix, and we’re the ideal property partner for all your industrial ambitions.

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