Under the radiant sky of Berlin, the long-awaited traditional asparagus dinner of the Berlin Press Conference took place. Mayor Kai Wegner emphasized in his speech the critical importance of an independent press for democracy.

The festive event, which revived after a pandemic-induced hiatus, attracted numerous prominent guests, including senators, diplomats, and leading figures from Berlin’s business community. Alongside the city’s government chief, distinguished guests such as Ukrainian Ambassador Oleksii Makeiev and Darius Pawlos, Ambassador of the Republic of Poland, were present to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the EU’s eastern expansion. It was a special honor to welcome four former mayors of the city: Walter Momper, Klaus Wowereit, Michael Müller, and Franziska Giffey.

Thomas Klein, Chairman of the Berlin Press Conference, seized the opportunity to warn about the increasing threat to press freedom. In his poignant address, he emphasized, “Independence and freedom of journalism are under pressure like never before. Verbal attacks are just the tip of the iceberg. During hate demonstrations against Israel, police now have to establish media protection areas to prevent physical attacks on journalists. I can only sound the alarm. Those who cut down the branches of democracy shouldn’t be surprised when the whole tree eventually falls.”

The asparagus dinner of the Berlin Press Conference was not merely a festive occasion but also an opportunity to reflect on and defend the indispensable role of press freedom in our society.

The latest report from the German Commercial Real Estate Financing Index (Difi) indicates a positive trend in the financing of commercial properties. In the first quarter of this year, the index saw a significant increase. The Difi, published quarterly by JLL and the Hamburg Institute of International Economics, examines the financing conditions for office, retail, logistics, and residential properties, as well as the situation in refinancing markets and provides outlooks for the next six months.

The improved forecasts for the coming months are particularly related to the expected interest rate cuts by central banks, notably the European Central Bank (ECB). Herbert Dzial, CEO of HD Group and experienced real estate expert with over 30 years of experience in the German market, sees his expectations confirmed: “The announced interest rate cuts are an important stimulus for developers. Especially in the residential sector, there is a significant demand that we approach with confidence. The expected interest rate developments will further boost this market. But also the commercial real estate market, which is already on a solid consolidation path, will benefit. The demand for modern office spaces meeting ESG standards will continue to rise, supported by the reinforced trend of employees returning to the office.”

Since the trough at the end of 2022, the Difi has shown a steady increase again, particularly compared to the last quarter of 2023 with an increase of 25.5 points. The residential segment saw the strongest increase by 40.3 points to 12.1 points and is the only category in positive territory. Hotels and logistics also saw increases of 27.4 and 18.7 points, respectively, although they still stand at minus 5.2 and minus 17.2 points. There was also a significant increase in the retail sector by 28.4 points, leading to a new level of minus 17.2 points. The office sector recorded an increase of 12.6 points and remains significantly negative at minus 48.3.

The HD Group achieves another milestone by investing in the emerging serviced apartment concept Stay KooooK by the SV Hotel Group in Bremen. The new Stay KooooK Bremen City will be prominently located on Obernstrasse, where the HD Group acts as the developer and owner. Renowned for quality and innovation, the HD Group brings its expertise in nationwide property and location development to this venture.

Known as Stay KooooK Bremen City, the project follows the successful Stay KooooK brand concept, offering modern serviced apartments and the characteristic co-living area “The Flat” within a contemporary new building. Situated in the picturesque Old Town of Bremen, just a short walk from the Cathedral and the Bremen Town Musicians, the location promises an unforgettable experience for guests and residents alike.

Denny Wolff, Managing Partner of 2rooms consulting Ltd., supports the HD Group as a consultant and intermediary. Regarding the site concept, he states, “The latest project is ideally located in the vibrant Old Town. In addition to a communal kitchen with a large dining table, The Flat provides areas for working, relaxing, socializing, or binge-watching series. Our knowledgeable hosts ensure that all guests feel at home and provide insider tips for city life.”

Construction for the new development project is expected to commence in 2024. Arlett Hoff, Director Development at SV Hotel, expresses excitement about the portfolio expansion: “We are delighted about the opening of Stay KooooK Bremen City. Alongside the Stay KooooK Hamburg currently under construction, this project complements our Northern Germany cluster and serves as an ideal addition to our Moxy in Bremen Überseestadt.”

The HD Group views this project as a promising investment opportunity and highlights the collaboration with SV Hotel as a strong partner in the hotel and apartment industry. Founder and owner Herbert Dzial explains, “HD is investing in a Stay KooooK in Bremen because we are convinced of SV Hotel’s strong leadership and creditworthiness, as well as their ability to shape the future of the industry. We are open to further investment opportunities.”

Stay KooooK Bremen City not only promises high-quality accommodation for guests but also enriches the Bremen hotel and apartment landscape as well as the local economy.

About Stay KooooK: Stay KooooK is a modern serviced apartment brand by the SV Hotel Group. With a unique concept offering high-quality apartments and communal spaces, Stay KooooK provides flexible and comfortable accommodation for short and long-term stays in attractive cities.

The Berlin-based HD Group is expanding its portfolio and developing a seven-story residential and commercial building in a prime location in downtown Bremen. The property, spanning over 1,200 square meters, will feature a forward-thinking usage concept comprising micro-living, co-working, and retail spaces. The gross floor area is projected to be approximately 7,679 square meters, with planned rental space of around 6,038 square meters. The proposed usage concept aims to maximize floor space utilization, providing ideal conditions for efficient and optimal floor plans.

The HD Group plans to demolish the existing structure for the project, replacing it with a new building featuring six full floors and an additional penthouse level.

Situated in the highly-trafficked Obernstraße 45-47, in the heart of the city center, the project boasts high visibility and excellent accessibility.

Bremen is a sought-after office location, and the housing situation is tense, with an estimated demand for approximately 36,000 residential units by 2030. In response, the HD Group is taking a pioneering role by developing a mixed-use project in the city center that addresses these pressing needs.

Herbert Dzial, Managing Director of the HD Group, emphasizes the company’s commitment to intelligent and sustainable conversions. “Here in Bremen, we align with the city’s goals and deliver urgently needed inner-city residential, commercial, and office spaces at this central location. I am confident that this high-street mixed-use development will establish itself as a sustainable asset class.”

With a population of 565,000, Bremen is the eleventh largest city in Germany and a key industrial hub, home to 1,400 companies and 74,000 employees. Renowned companies such as BLG Logistic Group, Nordsee GmbH, and Daimler AG operate large facilities in the area. Additionally, Bremen boasts a strong academic presence with eight local universities and over 35,000 students. The retail sector in Bremen, with a turnover of €3.8 billion, benefits significantly from the city’s growing tourism industry, which saw 2.0 million overnight stays.

The Berlin real estate company HD Gruppe has sold the health quater in Magdeburg Sudenburg as part of a forward deal to an institutional fund managed by INP Invest GmbH.

The parties involved agreed not to disclose the purchase price. The transaction was accompanied by the consulting company DIMP – DIE IMMOBILIEN PARTNER Hamburg.

The health quarter in the south of Magdeburg is picking up on the current trend towards outpatient and semi-inpatient forms of care. On an area of ​​6,000 square meters, a new building is to be realized with the types of use service living, day care and two dementia living groups. The planning envisages the creation of 92 residential units on a usable rental area of ​​5,500 square meters, 68 of which are for assisted living and 24 apartments for dementia.

The tenants and operators are the Berlin care service provider RENAFAN GmbH for assisted living and day care and Komfort Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH from Potsdam for the dementia apartments. The leases have a term of 20 years with an option to extend for a further 10 years.

The building permit is available. The realization of the building project has started. The completion of the new building in the south of Magdeburg is planned for the end of the first half of 2022.

“We are pleased to have found an institutional buyer for the health district in Magdeburg Sudenburg in the INP Group,” said Herbert Dzial, Managing Director and founder of the HD Group. “The Magdeburg project has a lot of potential and will make an important contribution to the accommodation and care of older people in the region in particular. The HD Group will continue to focus on the asset class of health care real estate in the future. ”

The area of ​​healthcare real estate is becoming more and more important, especially forms of assisted living that enable older people to lead their lives independently for as long as possible, but with support when necessary. In addition to traditional care facilities, there are assisted or service living, care shared apartments, senior citizens’ residences, multigenerational houses and various co-housing concepts.

 

About the HD Group:

The HD Group, based in Berlin, has many years of successful expertise in the area of ​​project development for residential, commercial and retail properties in Germany. Under the umbrella of the holding company, the HD Group offers a wide range of services, from project development to project management, investment management and property management.

www.hd-gruppe.de

About the INP group:

The INP Group is an independent group of companies and has been active as a product provider and asset manager since it was founded in 2005 and has been active in the field of social real estate since 2013 with its own capital management company INP Invest GmbH.

www.inp-gruppe.de

About DIMP:

DIMP Hamburg is an established, international consulting and brokerage company in the real estate industry. DIMP focuses on transaction advice in the areas of Health Care & Social Investment, Residential Investment and Commercial Investment.

www.dimp-hamburg.de