Reaching its peak: the new logistics centre PHOENIX Pharma in Győr is ready for construction

In November 2024, we reported on the laying of the foundation stone for the PHOENIX Pharma Zrt. logistics centre in Győr. The warehouse of the leading wholesale partner of Hungarian pharmacies will be built by MERKBAU Zrt., based on the engineering plans of Óbuda Group, who will also perform project management and technical supervision tasks.

Construction is on schedule and the building is now structurally complete, with the traditional bokréta ceremony held on 27 June 2025.

On the side of MERKBAU, József Knáb, Director of Enterprise spoke at the event, while Dr. Zoltán Balázs, Group Logistics Director of PHOENIX Pharma Zrt. spoke. Dániel Turi, one of the project's construction managers, recited the usual bokreta poem at the construction company's events, followed by a joint lunch to celebrate the construction participants.

The project involves the construction of a state-of-the-art pharmaceutical wholesale and retail centre with a floor area of 6550 square metres and an office building. The value of the greenfield investment, including the technology, is HUF 8 billion.

Complex engineering solutions behind the clean look

In the design of the facades and interiors, both the client and the design team have kept an eye on understated elegance and functionality. The minimalist character of the building is created by a combination of different finishes and materials, while the details conceal complex structural and nodal solutions. The design emphasises the façade and the representative landscaping elements. The dominant colour is white, with wood and stainless steel elements.

The property will be designed to meet the specific needs of pharmaceutical storage: no manufacturing activities will take place in the building, but a constant temperature of 15-25°C, a dust-free environment and exclusion from direct sunlight must be ensured.

Engineering challenges and energy efficiency

One of the challenges of the project is that it is located in a wetland area, bordered on the east by the dammed Pandzha stream. During utility construction, the stream, which provides a continuous flow of water, had to be temporarily blocked and dredged to allow bank stabilisation and connection works to be carried out in dry conditions.

Sustainability has also played an important role in the investment: a 258.4 kWp solar panel system will be installed on the roof, which can be expanded at a later date, and a 200 kWh battery storage system will be installed, while heat pumps will provide heating and cooling. Electric car charging facilities will also be provided and special attention will be paid to the proper installation of thermal, water and moisture insulation.

Once the structure is ready, the main focus is on specialist works

The works completed so far include the structural construction, the closing of the building, the cladding of the facades and roofs, the construction of the substructure, the casting of the industrial floor, and the basic mechanical and electrical installations. The following phases of work will take place in the coming months :

• installation of doors and industrial doors;
• skilled trades, detailed training;
• design facade cladding;
• interior design works;
• utilities and road works;
• completion of mechanical and electrical installations.

The volume of work is reflected in the fact that around 100 professionals are involved in the day-to-day work, which will increase to around 150 in the final months. The logistics centre will include a 4,100 square metre warehouse, a 114 square metre cold store, a 952 square metre loading bay with truck storage and a 106 square metre warehouse for storing drugs. The roof surfaces will be covered with 6,000 square metres of bitumen vapour barrier and PVC insulation, while the total waterproofing of the building will reach 20,000 square metres.

In addition to moving 5,000 cubic metres of earth, 21,000 cubic metres of fill material and 5,000 cubic metres of concrete and 180 tonnes of reinforcing steel were used. The highest point of the building is 12 metres, and 10 000 metres of cables were laid in the electrical network.

Completion of the entire project and the opening of the new centre is expected in November 2025.