Friday, 16 October 2026
European transport infrastructure developer Lysara has completed its first project in France, delivering a purpose-built logistics facility in Lille for an international e-commerce operator. The €17 million investment provides accommodation for 331 delivery vehicles and incorporates infrastructure designed to support the gradual transition towards electric commercial fleets.
The development is located within CRT Lesquin, a major industrial and logistics district adjoining Lille-Lesquin International Airport. The area is an established distribution location in northern France, providing access to regional transport networks and major consumer markets. Its proximity to an existing distribution centre operated by the occupier was an important consideration in the project’s development.
The facility comprises a three-storey vehicle parking structure extending across approximately 15,574 sqm on a site of around three acres. Unlike conventional distribution warehouses, the property has been developed primarily to accommodate delivery vehicles and support the operational requirements of last-mile logistics networks. Its configuration allows the occupier to consolidate vehicle parking within a multi-level structure rather than relying entirely on extensive surface parking areas.
A central feature of the project is its preparation for electric vehicle charging. Electrical capacity has been secured, and the necessary infrastructure has been incorporated to accommodate charging equipment as the occupier introduces additional electric vehicles. This approach is intended to reduce the risk of future infrastructure constraints as delivery operators progressively replace conventional vehicles.
Lysara acquired the freehold interest through a €17 million forward-funding arrangement with Axdev, a subsidiary of French property development group Axtom. The transaction was structured under France’s VEFA framework, which enables the acquisition of property during development. The scheme was secured through a long-term agreement with the occupier before completion, providing an established rental commitment ahead of delivery.
Construction has now reached completion, with the tenant taking possession and commencing rental payments. The timing allows the e-commerce operator to prepare its distribution activities before the seasonal increase in parcel volumes associated with the final months of the year. According to Lysara, the facility was delivered within the agreed programme, enabling vehicles to begin using the property immediately after handover.
The project reflects the changing infrastructure requirements of European parcel delivery businesses. As operators expand electric vehicle fleets, access to sufficient grid capacity and suitable charging locations is becoming an increasingly important factor in property selection. Multi-storey parking facilities designed around commercial vehicle operations offer one potential solution in established logistics areas where land availability and operational efficiency are significant considerations.
For property investors, the Lille transaction illustrates a specialised segment of the logistics market in which buildings are developed around the requirements of a particular transport operator. Long-term occupational agreements and early commitments can provide greater visibility over future rental income, although the specialised nature of these facilities also makes tenant requirements and long-term operational suitability important investment considerations.
Lysara intends to continue developing transport-related infrastructure across the United Kingdom and continental Europe, using both partnerships and directly managed development arrangements. CBRE Lille advised on the transaction, while DLA Piper France provided legal services, Ampere-Ginisty handled notarial matters and Top Management undertook technical due diligence.
