Press Release European flight safety will continue to be monitored in Cologne

26.02.2025 • 3 Reading Time

commerzreal_hausinvest_office_neue_direktion_koeln_we282_exterior_06b.jpg

Highlights

European flight safety will continue to be monitored in Cologne
Property attains average annual appreciation of 4%

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is to remain in Cologne until at least 2046. This is a result of the new lease agreement which it has concluded with Commerz Real. The lat-ter’s open-ended real estate fund Hausinvest is the owner of the office complex “Neue Direktion” (New Directorate) at Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3 on the banks of the River Rhine. The headquarters of EASA has already been located there since 2016 on an area of 22,800 square metres. The name of the building refers to the railway administration company Königliche Eisenbahndirektion Cöln (Royal Railway Directorate Cologne), which was headquartered behind the historical façade from 1913 onwards, and through to 2001 as Deutsche Bahn.

The building was fully refurbished from 2013 to 2016, when it was initially demolished in full with the exception of the facade. A totally new office building was constructed within this façade with the addition of historical details. Thus the stairwell and the entrance hall of the former railway company headquarters have been integrated into Neue Direktion. The new construction was crowned by three penthouse-type storeys surrounded by terraces enveloped by horizontal steel bands. This is intended to be a reminder of the contours of the mansard roof which was destroyed in the Second World War.

With its unique location, modern fit-out and striking architecture, Neue Direktion Cologne is ideal for us. We welcome the fact that we have been able to secure our offices in Cologne for the next 21 years and thus establish the basis for an excellent relationship with the lessor in the coming years.

Arthur Beckand

Acting Resources and Support Director at EASA

I am especially pleased for the investors in our Cologne property as thanks to their commitment they are making a major contribution to the business appeal of the city.

Mario Schüttauf

hausInvest fund manager

This is also paying off in monetary terms, according to Schüttauf. Since the acquisition in 2013 of what at the time was a construction project, the property has seen average annual appreciation of around four per cent, thus contributing to the positive overall result of the fund.

EASA was founded in 2002 and is responsible for ensuring the safety of aviation in Europe and its compliance with environmental protection measures. It employs over 800 staff from more than 20 European countries.

About Commerz Real Group

Commerz Real, a Commerzbank Group company, stands for 52 years of market experience and a managed volume of around {{assetundermanagement}} billion euros. It combines comprehensive asset management know-how and broad structuring expertise to create its characteristic range of services comprising asset-oriented fund products and customised financing solutions. The range of funds includes the open-ended property fund Hausinvest, the first private investor impact fund with a real asset focus Klimavest, institutional investment products and entrepreneurial investments under the CFB Invest brand.