degewo and WÖHR + BAUER take over Lichterfelde Süd residential construction project from the Groth Group

· In Berlin-Lichterfelde Süd, the implementation of a mixed-use urban quarter with approx. 2,500 residential units, well thought-out social infrastructure, optimal transport connections, spacious public green spaces and the so-called "Lichterfeld pasture landscape" with around 61 hectares is underway.
· degewo is building more than 1,000 apartments for its own portfolio, over 50% of which are subsidised.
· The joint venture between degewo and WÖHR + BAUER is realising more than 850 privately financed apartments and an urban-quality neighbourhood centre.
· The previous owner, the project developer Groth Group, is developing around 420 terraced houses.
· The development of the entire development area, which covers around 36 hectares, is being carried out by the joint venture between degewo and WÖHR + BAUER.

Berlin – In the south of Berlin in Lichterfelde, one of the largest residential development projects in the capital can now start. The Groth Group, as the previous owner of the site, and the project partners have successfully concluded all major contracts for the development of the new Neulichterfelde urban district. This creates the conditions for the implementation of the project in the period from 2026 to 2035.

Around 2,500 apartments are to be built on the total area of around 97 hectares, including 36 hectares of development area and 61 hectares of pastureland. The plan is to create a mixed-use quarter with a wide range of subsidised and privately financed apartments for different household sizes and income groups. The housing offer is complemented by an efficient social infrastructure and good public transport connections. The 61-hectare "Lichterfeld Pasture Landscape" will be preserved as a hotspot of biodiversity.

Christian Gaebler, Senator for Urban Development, Building and Housing: "We need affordable housing in all parts of the city. The new partnership secures 2,500 apartments in Lichterfelde Süd, which means a new home for over 5,000 people in Berlin. With this development, we remain on course for growth in terms of residential construction. In this legislative period, 80,000 new apartments will be built. This is good news for tenants in Berlin."

Patrick Steinhoff, District Councillor for Urban Development: "We are looking forward to the new participants in the project, who are committed to creating urgently needed living space in the southwest of Berlin. The district of Steglitz-Zehlendorf will also accompany the realization of the largest residential construction project in Steglitz-Zehlendorf in close coordination with the project partners."

degewo, one of Berlin's leading municipal housing companies, is developing over 1,000 apartments for its own portfolio, over 50% of which are subsidised. In this way, the municipal housing company is making a significant contribution to securing affordable housing in the new quarter in the long term.

The joint venture between degewo and WÖHR + BAUER is realising more than 850 apartments as well as central building blocks of the neighbourhood in four construction phases, including the neighbourhood centre and a climate-neutral energy supply for the apartments.

"With WÖHR + BAUER, we have found a joint venture partner with a high level of reliability and implementation expertise," explains Kai-Marten Maack, who will be a member of the Executive Board of degewo from May 2026. "Here, municipal and private actors are joining forces to effectively contribute to relieving the pressure on Berlin's housing market."

Christoph Beck, CEO of degewo, adds: "As a municipal housing company, we have the task of providing affordable housing. We are therefore very pleased to be able to create over 1,000 affordable apartments here. This will be one of the largest new construction projects we have ever implemented. In this way, we continue to make our contribution even in a growing city."

The central component of the quarter is the neighbourhood square at the S-Bahn station with offices, practices and shops for local supply. Among other things, three daycare centers and a school with sports areas and a gymnasium are planned. "We are creating a neighbourhood here that really works. With its clear urban identity and high quality of stay, the neighbourhood square is to form the heart of the square and serve as a lively meeting place for different generations," explains Wolfgang Roeck, shareholder and managing director of WÖHR + BAUER.

The quarter is well connected by public transport: there is a direct connection to the city centre via the Lichterfelde Süd S-Bahn station and several bus lines; Berlin's main train station can be reached in around 45 minutes.

In addition, the joint venture between degewo and WÖHR + BAUER is responsible for the development of the approximately 36-hectare development area.

Around 420 terraced houses are being developed by the Groth Group. The company was previously the owner of the area and had played a key role in the development of the project over the past 14 years.

With the resolution of the statutes for the development plan in the district of Steglitz-Zehlendorf in 2024, the planning legal basis for the implementation of the new Neulichterfelde urban quarter was created.

Thomas Groth, Managing Director of the Groth Group, says: "We are looking forward to the new partnership and to implementing part of this major urban development project together."

Berlin's housing market remains tense: While around 20,000 new apartments will be needed annually until 2028, according to the Pestel Institute, the number of building permits has recently fallen significantly. Especially in the south of Berlin, there is a structural supply deficit.

"Affordable housing can only be created if projects can be reliably planned and implemented. At present, high interest rates, increased capital requirements and sometimes the reluctance of investors are hampering new construction activity," adds Roeck. "If we want to get housing construction back on track, we need strong partnerships and reliable framework conditions between municipal and private actors. With Neulichterfelde, we are showing how this can be used to create new housing facilities."

WÖHR + BAUER has been developing and implementing commercial, residential and mobility solutions in Berlin, among other places, for around 35 years.