A new part of Berlin is being created on the site of the former Berlin-Wilmersdorf goods station: ‘Friedenauer Höhe’. Here, the nationwide residential developer Instone Real Estate and OFB Projektentwicklung are realising the first construction phase of the modern urban quarter with 1,060 apartments in a joint venture by 2026. The shell of 537 rental flats, which OFB was in charge of developing, was already completed in March 2023. The topping-out ceremony has now been held for 131 apartments, which are being built under the project name ‘Marlene und Dietrich’ under the responsibility of Instone.
Eva Majewski, District Councillor for Tempelhof-Schöneberg and Head of the Department for Urban Development and Facility Management, praised the project with the words: ‘Welcome to the centre of Schöneberg! Marlene und Dietrich' will create more living space. A total of 131 apartments, there is room for everyone: there are single apartments as well as family apartments. This living space is urgently needed in Tempelhof-Schöneberg. All the best to the builders for the rest of the construction work and no accidents; to the new residents: I'm looking forward to the neighbourhood.’
Saidah Bojens, Branch Manager Berlin and Saxony at Instone Real Estate, added: ‘Friedenauer Höhe’ shows what modern urbanity can look like, which blends in perfectly with its surroundings in Friedenau. It is not only the high quality of the location within Berlin with excellent public transport connections that is impressive, but also the attractive mix of apartments within the almost car-free neighbourhood. We are delighted that we are now taking the next important step towards realising a forward-looking, sustainable urban quarter with the completion of the shell of our 131 modern condominiums in ‘Marlene und Dietrich’. This is not least thanks to the excellent collaboration with our project partner OFB and everyone involved in the planning and construction.’
With ‘Marlene and Dietrich’, Instone and OFB are realising two buildings facing each other with up to six storeys. A wide-ranging mix of apartments is planned, from 1-room apartments to 5-room apartments with living spaces of 38 to 132 square metres. All apartments have a balcony, a roof terrace or a private garden area. Both houses have extensive green roofs and meet the requirements of the BEG Efficiency House Standard 55 EE. The heat supply is provided by a combined heat and power unit (CHP). CO₂-reduced and resource-saving concrete was also successfully used during construction. The apartments are due to be completed by the end of 2024.
The neighbourhood concept for Friedenauer Höhe is based on a mixture of different types of use. The project is part of the Hauptstrasse 64/ Handjerystrasse 98 development plan, which also includes 238 subsidised apartments and a day care centre run by HOWOGE Wohnungsbaugesellschaft mbH. The subsidised apartments have already been completed and the day-care centre is already in operation. In addition to OFB's 537 apartments, the first construction phase will include a further 396 rental apartments and 131 owner-occupied apartments, which Instone is responsible for developing. In a second construction phase, OFB is also realising a high-rise office building with a gross floor area of around 20,000 m² on the site. In addition to around 15,000 m² of office space, a large supermarket and catering facilities will be built to serve the neighbourhood. A public park of around 10,000 m² with playground areas is planned in the centre of the quarter. A public cycle path will create a new east-west connection axis in Friedenau through the almost car-free neighbourhood.
