Swiss Life Asset Managers has achieved an important leasing success for the first construction site of the "Cologne West" district development in Cologne. The approximately 6,800 square metres of GFA are leased on a long-term basis to POHA House, which will implement its community-oriented living concept for temporary stays in the city there. The property is therefore fully let.
With 171 apartments, co-working, a Gym and communal areas in the former office high-rise, the revitalisation will become a model project for sustainable, lively stays in urban areas and at the same time mark the start of a planned neighbourhood development with a mixed-use character.
The existing office building at Eupener Straße 137 is part of the "Cologne West" district development. A modern urban quarter is to be built on the Braunsfeld site of the former technology park, which combines economic and market-oriented use with urban living and working. The lease that has now taken place represents an important milestone. The lease with a term of 20 years creates long-term stability and forms the basis for using the existing building and developing it into a sustainable building with an energy-efficient all-round renovation.
The revitalisation follows the "back-to-the-structure" approach: the former office building will be completely gutted and dismantled down to the supporting structure. This will result in an energy-efficient, future-proof new portfolio for which DGNB Platinum certification is being sought. The start of the dismantling is scheduled for summer 2026. Completion is scheduled for summer 2028.
"The conclusion of the lease agreement with POHA House is an important start for the project development. The conversion into a lively co-living concept impressively demonstrates the potential that lies in the sustainable development of existing properties," says Mario Böttger, Head RE Development Living Region Cologne at Swiss Life Asset Managers in Germany.
"POHA House was created for exactly such projects: to fill an existing building with energy, meaning and human connection again," says Yianni Tsitouras. "Our co-spaces are an answer to loneliness and the question of how we can make life in the city more sustainable," says the POHA House CEO. "Together with Swiss Life Asset Managers, we want to show that the urban stay of the future will be more flexible, more conscious and, above all, more human," adds Leonie Heuschäfer, Head of Expansion at POHA House.
"This leasing success is another key component of our strategic orientation to establish innovative and sustainable usage models. It shows that sustainably designed and resilient properties attract attractive partners in the long term and create added value for investors, users and the neighbourhood," says Matthias Schmidt, Head RE Development at Swiss Life Asset Managers in Germany.
The leasing of the first construction site marks the start of the further development of the entire area. A total of around five building plots are planned for the "Cologne West" district. Swiss Life Asset Managers pursues a mixed-use approach that combines different types of use, including office, conference and event, education, wellbeing and sports, as well as modern living, which also includes POHA House's co-living concept.
