7R has sold a property whose long-term tenant is the BWI Group – R&D Center
Polish developer 7R and U.S. investment firm InSite Real Estate have sold a property located in Balice, near Kraków, which houses the BWI Group’s research and development center. The nearly energy-self-sufficient facility was acquired by…
Izabela TrancygierApril 7, 20223-minute read
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Polish developer 7R and U.S. investment firm InSite Real Estate have sold a property located in Balice, near Kraków, which houses the BWI Group’s research and development center. The nearly energy-self-sufficient facility was acquired by REICO ČS LONG LEASE, a Czech investment fund managed by REICO investiční společnost České spořitelny, a.s. The transaction value is approximately €27.3 million.
The facility housing the BWI Group’s research and development center spans 11,000 square meters of laboratory and office space and holds a BREEAM certification at the Very Good level. It consists of two environmentally friendly, interconnected buildings that were completed in 2020. The sole tenant of the facility is the BWI Group, a global corporation engaged in the design and manufacture of suspension components for the automotive industry.
The BWI Group’s research and development center is secured by a long-term lease agreement. The acquisition marks an important milestone in the development of the REICO ČS LONG LEASE fund and sends a clear signal to shareholders and business partners about what to expect from the fund in the future.
Tomáš Jandík
CEO of REICO IS ČS
The property, sold by 7R, is situated in an attractive location in Lesser Poland, in the immediate vicinity of Kraków Airport and approximately 1 km from the A4 highway, which connects Poland with Germany to the west and Ukraine to the east. The center of Kraków is about 20 km away and is easily accessible by various modes of transportation.
The BWI Group building that has just been sold is characterized above all by rental stability and eco-friendly solutions. By creating this property, we have proven that a zero-emission future in the real estate industry is possible. We are aware that investors are looking for high-quality products that deliver long-term returns and—crucially—meet ESG standards. This is precisely the case with the BWI Group center in Balice. We are all the more pleased that this exceptional project will expand the portfolio of the REICO ČS LONG LEASE fund.
Łukasz Jachna
Chief Capital Markets Officer, Member of the Management Board at 7R
The facility is unique in terms of its eco-friendly solutions and energy production, as it utilizes a modern trigeneration system. This advanced technology uses a gas turbine to generate the energy needed to power, heat, cool, and ventilate the building. This marks the first implementation of this type of system in an office and laboratory project in Poland. 7R developed this property comprehensively on a BTS (Build-to-Suit) basis—from acquiring the land to meeting all operational, technical, environmental, and staffing requirements.
In 2021, we sold 17 projects worth nearly 400 million euros. We are proud that our innovation-focused strategy, which aligns with ESG criteria, fits well with the business models of international investors such as REICO ČS LONG LEASE.
Tomasz Kostrzewa
Senior Investment Director at 7R
The BWI Group’s research and development center is not only nearly energy self-sufficient. The building also has its own well and manages water resources efficiently across the entire property. In 2020, the property won first prize in the Green Building category of the Prime Property Prize competition.
The buyer was represented in the transaction by White & Case, TPA, Knight Frank, and Arcadis. Baker McKenzie served as legal counsel to 7R and InSite Real Estate.
Izabela Trancygier serves as Head of the Central-South Region at 7R and is responsible for the company’s business development in the Central-South region. She oversees the leasing and development divisions,…
