The real estate industry is facing a number of challenges, but there is also a sense of optimism and determination to find solutions, Felix Gold, managing director of German investor-developer DIEAG Investment Management, told PropertyEU at Expo Real in Munich.
‘Most of the industry are addressing their multitude of challenges in the investment and financing markets, and in meeting ESG/Taxonomy criteria in existing portfolios and new developments. Many participants are currently exploring innovative and stabilising solutions for the present and the future,’ he said.
According to Gold, there is also a need for ‘more dialogue between policymakers and real estate investors/developers to jointly tackle major challenges, such as creating affordable housing and sustainable urban development’.
At Expo Real, DIEAG will be talking with investors and stakeholders interested in projects in the laboratory, life sciences, and light industrial production sectors.
‘The current project volume for DIEAG stands at approximately €2.5 bn. In addition to traditional financing structures, we also implement fund- and joint venture arrangements or act as a pure service developer on behalf of capital providers,’ explained Gold.
He revealed that DIEAG has secured €82 mln in financing from Hamburger Sparkasse, with Empira Group serving as the debt advisor, for the 13,000 m2 Equalizer office development project in Berlin's City-West, with construction due to kick off soon.
Another key project is the BE-U (Behrens-Ufer) large-scale commercial development in Berlin, covering 10 hectares of former industrial land that will be converted into 235,000 m2 of commercial office space in both old and new buildings.
‘The project is highly suitable for laboratory and life science usage, as well as light industrial production. The energy supply system developed in collaboration with GASAG Solution Plus offers self-sufficiency and energy security, which is a fundamental aspect of our comprehensive sustainability strategy,’ added Gold.
