18.06.2022, WAZ.

The Bismarckhaus in Essen’s Südviertel stood neglected for years. Now it has been completely refurbished. Here is what has changed.

For years, anyone passing the Bismarckhaus in Essen’s Südviertel saw a dilapidated office building. The former owner did not maintain it, and offices remained vacant. Much has changed since then. Brockhoff, the real estate company responsible for marketing the property, has announced that the 1,750-square-metre building at Bismarckstraße 5 is fully let again. The last two vacant office units will be occupied from 1 July.

The previous owner sold the office building in 2018. Tobias Altenbeck, a member of Brockhoff’s management team responsible for office lettings, explains how the project began: “A regional investor from Essen approached us. They saw the Bismarckhaus as a property with great potential in an excellent location.”

On the investor’s behalf, Brockhoff then identified the building’s owner and handled the sale. The new owner is Buteo, based at Alfredstraße 57–65. The new owner subsequently appointed Brockhoff to let the building as well.

Essen real estate firm: willingness to invest pays off.

At that point, however, the building was in very poor condition and required a complete renovation. It dates from 1959. Altenbeck says Buteo GmbH had to strip the property back to its structural shell. “It was then rebuilt to the latest standards,” the real estate expert says. Today, the property is air-conditioned and has a photovoltaic system on the roof. The façade’s insulated windows also feature solar shading.

“Leasing then progressed very quickly,” Altenbeck says. “When owners or investors are willing to invest upfront, a sound concept can transform existing properties into first-class office addresses.” In 2021, food delivery service Pottsalat set up its headquarters across two floors. IT service provider Innovas and marketing agency Marketing Wizards followed, each taking one floor.

The final two tenants have now been confirmed. Beventum GmbH has leased the entire third floor, covering 357 square metres. It is a subsidiary of the Federal Agency for Disruptive Innovation (SPRIN-D), which aims to build the first wind turbine more than 350 metres tall. Copa Consulting GmbH will occupy the second floor, also covering 357 square metres. The consultancy is headquartered in Landshut.