Bestseller unveils designs for ground-breaking mass timber logistics centre

Bestseller has revealed the designs for a ground-breaking mass timber logistics centre to be built in the Netherlands.

Designed by leading architecture practice Henning Larsen, the centre will be the largest of its kind in Europe at 155,000sqm. To be known as LCW (or Logistics Centre West) it will be located in Lelystad, 60 km east of Amsterdam and is due to be completed in 2026.

Allan Kyhe Kjærgaard, Logistics Director, at the Danish fashion giant said: “We are happy to be able to unveil the design of our new logistics centre, for which we have very big ambitons. Not only because it strengthens our opportunities for future growth, but also because it was designed to excel in sustainable construction through, not least, the choice of mass timber in the construction. We wanted the building to demonstrate our desire for aesthetic design, and we are very proud of what we have succeeded in jointly with Henning Larsen.”

In addition to the striking mass timber construction, the building will be equipped with 23,000sqm of solar panels. It will house some 600 Bestseller employees when completed.

The team from Henning Larsen has, among other things, prioritised daylight and green areas as well as harmonising indoor and outdoor elements to promote employee well-being. 

“The design of Logistics Centre West represents a fundamental change to the way we imagine how a logistics centre should look. It’s a result of a united client and consultancy team commited to creating a design that is visually stunning, carbon efficient and has a positive biodiverse impact,” explained Eva Ravnborg, Country Market Director, Partner, Henning Larsen. 

More than half of the total site is dedicated to its landscape. The majority of the area will thus be dedicated to wetlands and forest to protect biodiversity and help absorb CO2. 

In order to preserve and protect the area's animal and plant life, the construction will be surrounded by a constructed wetland, which will contribute to promoting microhabitats for native species. The centre will also have an optimised rainwater system that, among other things, protects against flooding and recycles rainwater from the roof. 

“We are very aware that constructing new buildings affects the environment, the climate and the local community. Therefore, a very thorough process has taken place before we can now present the plans for our new logistics centre. There have been many ambitions which had to be united in one building, but we believe that we have succeeded - not least thanks to a good and close collaboration with Henning Larsen. We look forward to putting the logistics centre into use in 2026," added Bestseller's Kyhe Kjærgaard.

The mass timber used in the building will be sourced from FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) approved suppliers and the building is designed to be BREEAM-certified at the highest level 'Outstanding'. 

The Bestseller group is home to more than 20 brands including Jack & Jones, Vero Moda and Only. It predicts are sold in 70 countries in Europe, Asia, North America, South America and the Middle East, as well as globally via e-commerce.