Offenbach acquires Kaufhof building

In the expectation that the city councillors will approve the purchase and thus also the location decision for the "Station Mitte" - the new city library - on February 1, the city is already planning the next steps. Paul-Gerhard Weiß, Head of Planning and Construction, announced: "We want to commission the conversion work before the end of this year. If everything goes well, the former Kaufhof building should come back to life in the course of 2026, creating a new center for the city center. We are stepping on the gas and are moving so quickly because we not only have a lot of ideas with the future concept for the city center, but are already putting concrete plans into action, including for the 'Station Mitte'," emphasized Weiß. City Treasurer Martin Wilhelm added: "We are concerned about the state of the city center. That's why we have budgeted significantly more money than before for the development of Offenbach's city center in 2024. This will enable us to acquire and convert the Kaufhof building. 13 million euros in total is undoubtedly a very good and affordable purchase price in this ideal location." The four floors of the former Kaufhof building are to be comprehensively transformed into a new learning, cultural and meeting center in the heart of the city. As things stand, the basement could be used for commercial purposes. The property has a plot size of around 2,000 m² and a gross floor area of around 11,000 m².

"The heart of the new 'Station Mitte' will be a modern city library with a wide range of different workstations, a makerspace and gaming areas as well as an expanded program of events on reading and research skills," explained Department Head Weiß, who is also responsible for the city library in addition to planning and construction. For Lord Mayor Schwenke, the project is therefore both an investment in the future of the city center and for greater educational equality: "We are relocating and expanding the city library into a modern facility for all Offenbach residents. In doing so, we are also improving access to education for children and young people who often live in cramped conditions and have poor opportunities to learn at home. Offenbach is thus creating equal opportunities for all children, regardless of how much money their parents earn. In addition to the adult education center, the 'Station Mitte' also serves adults and students as a central location in the city center for further education, encounters and networking - without necessarily having to consume anything."

In addition, a public café is to be located on the first floor of the "Station Mitte". Retail uses are also conceivable. In addition, Offenbach has long been lacking a larger and modern event hall for a mix of public, cultural events such as concerts, theater performances, readings, etc. as well as non-public, commercial events (e.g. smaller conferences, workshops, company events, etc.). It is currently being examined how this can be realized on the roof of the building. The construction of the event hall is desired in order to provide cultural associations and initiatives with opportunities for use. "Such a versatile location in the 'Station Mitte' will hopefully offer this space for cultural workers, volunteers and various event formats in the future. Either way, the decision for the location is the right one," emphasized Mayor Schwenke.

At the same time, stores and restaurants in the city center can benefit, Schwenke and Weiß made clear: "The 'Station Mitte' will contribute to a lasting additional revitalization and attractiveness of our city center, also in the evenings and at weekends. This will create a new meeting point and attraction in the city center - a concept that also responds to the declining brick-and-mortar retail trade." The fact that this concept represents a promising approach has also been recognized outside of Offenbach: in 2021, the city won the municipal prize of the state of Hesse, endowed with one million euros, because the "Station Mitte" was judged to be the best idea currently in existence throughout Hesse for upgrading city centres.

Based on a feasibility study, two other properties had previously been shortlisted for the establishment of the "Station Mitte". The city had conducted lengthy negotiations about buying or renting the KOMM shopping center and the former Karstadt building. "The two owners were very interested in being awarded the contract by the city and worked very professionally," reported Schwenke.

Meanwhile, the economic development agency had kept in touch with the owners and marketers of the former Kaufhof building in order to be ready when new options opened up. "When a change of ownership became a real possibility at the right time, we commissioned the Economic Development Agency, the City Library and the Office for Cultural Management to also examine the building via the GBO on the basis of the known parameters of the feasibility study. However, in the overall consideration of price and performance, the Kaufhof building was ultimately more attractive for the city," reports Schwenke. Mayor Sabine Groß also appreciates the positive outcome of the process: "It proved to be the right decision to include the Kaufhof property in the review. As a meeting place, the new 'Station Mitte' will also fill an important gap in services for children and young people in the city center. In addition to the city library, new learning spaces for schoolchildren and students are to be created there. Offering these places is particularly important for a complete neighborhood development." When talks were held with the new and current owner, the negotiating partners, the city and the owner, quickly agreed on an appropriate purchase price.