ROME-The world's largest owner of distribution facilities already controls 6.2 million sf of industrial space in Italy, and ProLogis will soon have additional space to boot, unveiling plans for a 323,000-sf warehouse about to break ground in the country's southern tier. Slated to begin construction this quarter, the development is the first for ProLogis in Greater Rome, and will be available to logistics providers, manufacturers and retailers possessing large-scale distribution needs.

"We are very pleased to be expanding into the Rome market," says ProLogis managing director Ranald Hahn, responsible for southern Europe. "Recent public improvements in the region's rail, highway and port infrastructure have prompted a significant increase in demand for modern distribution space, largely from consumer-oriented logistics companies. We think the time is right to expand our platform through this new project, which will allow ProLogis to serve the needs of both local and pan-European customers."

Sited some 30 miles south of Rome's central business district, ProLogis Park Anagni will feature easy access to the area's well-known "Ringroad," the main highway around the Italian capital, and is also close to the Leonardo Da Vinci International Airport and the Port of Civitavecchia. Other Italian markets where ProLogis is already a major player include Bologna, Milan, Padua and Turin, with properties serving such clients as Ceva Logistics, Geodis, Indent Group and ND Logistics. Globally, ProLogis has assets owned, managed and under development of $26.7 billion, comprising 422 million sf in nearly 2,500 properties.

The newest project will be located on land recently acquired in the Roman suburb of Anagni, which is situated on the A1 motorway, Italy's primary north-south transit corridor. Space in the new building will be available for occupancy later this year.