Office vacancy has risen in the Ruhr region, especially in Essen—and that is where the opportunity lies. Frankfurt showed in 2025 how companies can use available space to reposition their locations intelligently and on attractive terms. Options that were unavailable for years are now opening up in Essen too: good locations, realistic rents and large lettings that are feasible again. Early examples show that quality finds tenants immediately. What is missing are bold large-scale occupiers. Companies looking to optimise their space now have the best window in a long time. We can help with clear advice and a focus on what is genuinely viable.

In 2025, Frankfurt was Germany’s strongest office market, with more than 600,000 square metres of take-up—the highest level since 2019. The reason is simple: companies used vacancy of around 12% to reposition their locations on attractive terms. It was smart timing.

Essen also offers very favourable conditions at present. Vacancy has risen to around 7.5%. That may sound like a challenge, but above all it is a real opportunity. Tenants can once again find space that simply was not on the market in recent years: good locations, reasonable rents and solid quality. Even large-scale lettings are feasible again, after long seeming like a distant memory from better market conditions.

Concrete examples show that quality works in Essen: the former GEERS premises at RÜ 62, with its own car park and directly beside the busy Rüttenscheider Stern, were re-let immediately. This confirms what we have long said: when location, price and condition are right, the right tenant can be found.

Office villas remain in strong demand. We let and sell them reliably and on good terms. That is no surprise: character and scale are qualities that work regardless of the market cycle.

What Essen’s market lacks, however, are large-scale occupiers. Several corporations have built their own headquarters in recent years. This strengthens the city as a whole but weakens the letting market. Instead of ambitious new-build projects, we need bold large-scale lettings in central locations. The opportunities are better than they have been for years, yet few are taking them up.

For companies looking to optimise their space, now is exactly the right time. Supply is good and tenants have greater negotiating power.

We are here to help—with practical, honest advice and a clear focus on what really works.