Case Study I: Hackeschen Höfe, Rosenthaler Strasse 40/41

The Hackesche Höfe in Berlin is possibly the most extensive courtyard complex in Europe. Its eventful history which spans over 100 years and its architecture make it an urban gem to be restored and preserved. Since they were redeveloped in 1997, the courtyards in the heart of Berlin have become one of the major sights in the capital. However, before this could be achieved, several obstacles had to be overcome.

The primary goal of redeveloping this real estate was to recreate a modern, urban atmosphere while retaining the history and quality of the area.

Facts and figures of the redevelopment:

The Hackesche Höfe do in fact represent the “birthplace” of PentaNex GmbH.
After completing redevelopment in 1997, the owners commissioned PentaNex to manage the property. Up until now, marketing of the complex and improving its profitability are Pentanex’s main tasks of pro-active property management. Besides conventional property management, it aims at retaining its cultural and urban quality based on its utilisation concept.

Pro-active Facility Management in addition to PentaNex’s Classical Property Management

PentaNex sees itself as mediator between owners and tenants. This balance of interests ensures the real estate’s optimal development.
Thanks to the commitment, support and ideas of the tenants during the redevelopment of the courtyards, PentaNex was able to implement a balanced and coordinated information system. Still today, data and messages are regularly exchanged and suggestions for improvement are discussed and improvements made.

What we achieved

Nowadays the Hackesche Höfe consist of synergetically used areas. Shops offer a diversity of high-quality products and they use their rented space in various ways.
The aim is to primarily avoid mainstream concepts.
The tenants of the various shops have an individual and unique profile.
All shops are run by their owners and offer products which are designed, developed, manufactured or further processed in the courtyards. To ensure diversity, it was agreed that the individual shops shall not have more than 100 m2 of floor space.

An exception to this rule is the store of the Starbucks Coffee chain that opened in June 2002. In cooperation with the Karstadt Quelle Group it opened its first of two flagship stores in Germany in the Hackesche Höfe.

The restaurants offer excellent food, drinks and services. The guests have a broad choice of nice venues: restaurants with superior cuisine, a delicatessen bistro, a club bar, a top-quality coffee house, a jazz club and a billiard salon.

The cultural and recreational facilities clearly target a sophisticated audience.
An arthouse cinema, the “Varieté Chamäleon” music hall and the “Hackesche Hoftheater” with their ongoing programmes of outstanding films and performances, have successfully built up an international reputation. In addition, various interesting art galleries attract potential customers who come from all over the world.

According to the office utilisation concept, spaces of different qualities and sizes are available for tenants who want “special ambiance”. A total of four complexes with office spaces from 80 to 3,000 m2 have been rented out. The tenants primarily have creative professions (e.g. architects, PR managers, web designers). In addition, law firms, engineering consultants, a party foundation and many other firms have their offices here underlining the diversity of the courtyards.

Pursuant to the residential concept, urban living and quality of life are to be combined. Certainly there is no other residential area at a comparable down-town location which is quiet at night but very lively during daytime. A church community and a cemetery are located close by. The apartment complex is closed and protected by security guards at night ensuring peace and quietness for residents.