News Releases “Galeria Weltstadthaus” and office high-rise building on the Alex: Construction works moving forward

Construction work on Alexanderplatz for the modernisation of the Kaufhof department store into the “Galeria Weltstadthaus” and the construction of a high-rise office building are progressing according to plan. This was announced by the developer Commerz Real and the Senate Administration for Urban Development, Building and Housing. Accordingly, preparations are currently underway for the office tower’s bodyshell, which is scheduled to start in 2024 January. In 2023 November Commerz Real, the real estate fund of which Hausinvest is part of the project, announced that the construction company Züblin had been commissioned with the bodyshell work. After completion in 2026, the total ensemble will have around 100,000 square metres of floor space.

As Commerz Real confirms in this context, the urban development contract originally signed by previous owner Signa Prime was transferred to the property investment with the sale of the properties in 2023 June. This applies in particular to the existing lease agreement with the Galeria department store. Since its modernisation is carried out during ongoing operation, temporary closure is not necessary. “Both from the economic point of view of the fund and against the backdrop of our self-image as a reliable partner of the State of Berlin, we fully support the concluded urban development contract,” emphasises Mario Schüttauf, fund manager of Hausinvest. The lease agreement with Galeria Weltstadthaus is therefore not subject to debate.

The construction project is being implemented on the basis of the development plan I-B4a adopted by the Senate Administration for Urban Development, Building and Housing in 2000 for Alexanderplatz and the urban development contract concluded by the State of Berlin with the project-executing agency in 2022. The design of the Kleihues and Kleihues offices was coordinated intensively with the Berliner Baukollegium. Important project features, such as an innovative sustainability concept, the publicly accessible roof terrace and areas for community-oriented uses are in line with the high-rise mission statement for Berlin.

Located in an absolutely central location and perfectly connected from a logistical point of view, the office tower will be the new highlight in the centre of Berlin with its modern spaces and versatile uses. The 134-metre-high tower was built according to a design by the Berlin-based architecture firm Kleihues and Kleihues and comprises around 30,000 square metres of flexible office space with a view over Berlin. The rooms should be open and spacious, equipped with modern and intelligent technology and floor-to-ceiling windows. 1,000 square metres were pledged to the State of Berlin for commercial use in the interests of the general good.

The department store will continue as Galeria Weltstadthaus. On the first and ground floor, about 1,650 square metres are also reserved for a high-quality food sector and small-scale retail trade. On the two upper floors, a so-called food culture market is planned on around 3,500 square metres, which is intended to combine enjoyment, culture and shopping. The spacious roof terrace overlooking the Berlin television tower is to be publicly accessible.

For example, geothermal energy will provide resource-saving heating and cooling, and heat and cold production will also be optimised by means of cold and heat pumps and, above all, by using previously unused waste heat from the existing building. Peak loads are covered by district heating. In addition, a nearly 3,900 square metre photovoltaic system will provide part of the electricity requirement. Only green electricity is used for residual energy requirements. Other measures include intelligent lighting, lift and ventilation systems. Around 600 cubic metres of rainwater are also to be used annually.

The building project is aiming for LEED Platinum (ecological sustainability), WELL Gold (health and WELL-being of subsequent users) and WiredScore (digital networking) certificates.