Development of the KWU buildings: student housing remains a sub-goal

In recent years, several players have already attempted to develop the former Kraftwerk Union (KWU) high-rise buildings on the Kaiserlei between Offenbach and Frankfurt in a meaningful way. The Becken Group currently has a right of first refusal for the development of the entire site, which comprises far more than just the high-rise buildings. However, this right of first refusal expires on February 28. The project has recently attracted public interest due to the fact that Becken has developed the concept of creating around 1,500 student residences in the high-rise buildings in serial construction. However, due to the difficult situation in the construction and housing industry, the deadline of February 28 has not clarified enough questions for the other sub-projects, nor for the possible student housing sub-project.

The parties involved in the student housing sub-project, namely the Studierendenwerk Frankfurt, the State of Hesse, the City of Frankfurt and the City of Offenbach, have now all met together with the owner of the entire site, the Adler Group, due to the expiry of this deadline. Previously, only the City of Offenbach had been in contact with Adler due to the discussions on building law.

The Becken Group, which is still interested in the overall development, was also present. All parties involved made it clear which open questions still needed to be clarified before a final decision could be made. Steps were outlined for working through the outstanding issues and a possible timetable for working through them was agreed.

The Adler Group has already signaled its willingness to work on an overall solution that makes sense for all parties involved and has offered to extend the deadline originally granted to it to withdraw from the purchase agreement beyond February 28 until the pending issues have been clarified. The exact new date will be negotiated between Becken and Adler once the timetable for working through the outstanding issues has been drawn up.

Deputy Prime Minister Kaweh Mansoori has taken a clear stance: "I think this is a good project. The WI-Bank will remain in charge of coordination, while the Ministry of Finance and my ministry will define which points need to be clarified in order to quickly establish the viability of the project. But one thing is also clear: in the end, the project can only work if everyone involved makes their contribution. As far as it is in our hands, we want to push ahead with the rapid realization of the project."

Marcus Gwechenberger, Head of Planning, took part in the top-level meeting on behalf of the City of Frankfurt. He made it clear: "The City of Frankfurt wants to create new living space for students together with the region over the next few years. We need to offer good conditions for the skilled workers of tomorrow. We would like to support the Kaiserlei project. We are committed to enabling the construction of urgently needed student residences at Kaiserlei."

Offenbach's Lord Mayor Dr. Felix Schwenke, who has been involved in the project for the longest time due to its location in his city area, puts the events in context: "After a phase of more preliminary discussions, the parties involved began to deal with all the details in great detail in late autumn 2023. As is usual with such mega projects, as each question is clarified, new questions immediately arise. However, everything is now being examined as closely as possible so that decisions can be made. Everyone is working on solutions for the many, sometimes complicated or expensive issues. But one thing is also clear: in the end, the project can only work if everyone involved plays their part."

Konrad Zündorf, Managing Director of Studierendenwerk Frankfurt am Main, explains: "Every day, Studierendenwerk Frankfurt am Main is committed to making it possible for young people to study. With great commitment, we provide good and affordable accommodation and catering services and BAföG as well as extensive advice and support services and tailor-made childcare. The services offered by Studierendenwerk Frankfurt am Main contribute to equal opportunities during studies and help shape the university environment. We are not only concerned with simply increasing the number of around 3,700 residential units in 34 halls and residences with affordable rents based on the current BAföG requirement rate of EUR 360 per month warm. We are concerned with the quality of accommodation. The facilities cater for national and international students from all over the world and are thus places of communication and integration at our universities. It is becoming increasingly difficult to find affordable accommodation, especially for international students and students from families with lower incomes. The Kaiserlei location directly on the border between the cities of Offenbach and Frankfurt am Main is a unique opportunity to significantly improve the housing situation for the current 73,000 students at state universities in the Rhine-Main region in one fell swoop and thus also make a noticeable impact on the general housing market. This is urgently needed, as we regularly have over 3,000 students on the waiting list for a place in a hall of residence who are desperately hoping for affordable accommodation. But our universities, Goethe University, the Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences, the University of Art and Design and the University of Music and Performing Arts would also be noticeably strengthened, as they compete for the best minds in Germany and internationally."