Greenman OPEN, one of Germany’s leading food retail real estate investment funds, and its sister company GFORM, which specialises in property and tenant management and manages the fund’s portfolio, announced today their plans for an extensive revitalisation of the retail centre Stadtgalerie Datteln in North Rhine-Westphalia. A key component of the redevelopment will be the positioning of a new grocery anchor as a tenant for the location.

Construction is targeted to start in the third quarter of 2024 and is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2025. The partnering construction company will be the project developer and long-term partner of the companies, Schoofs Immobilien GmbH Frankfurt, which will implement the revitalisation in close cooperation with the architectural company RATHKE Architekten BDA from Wuppertal.

Henning Hedemann, Head of Strategic Relations & Development at GFORM says: “We are very happy that the planned revitalisation has found favour with the city of Datteln in order to transform the Stadtgalerie into an even more modern and attractive retail centre. The revitalisation is a sign of our long-term commitment to the city and our tenants. We want to make the operation of the centre as ecological and customer-oriented as possible. It is of great importance to us to meet the needs of the surrounding community and to offer an appealing shopping experience. We look forward to a successful and long-term collaboration with the tenants as well as representatives of the city.”

Together, a strategy has been developed to reposition and revitalise the retail centre as an important central point for the city. Active discussions are currently being held with potential tenants. “We want to meet the need for a grocer in the centre as soon as possible. Therefore, we are already talking to several potential tenants in order to bring about a solution as quickly as possible, both for the existing concepts of the centre and for the customers,” Hedemann adds.

Another key feature of the revitalisation will be the installation of photovoltaic panels on the roof of the shopping centre by sister company Greenman Energy. This underlines the ambitions of both companies to optimise the location sustainably and efficiently in line with their long-term ESG strategy.

Markus Rathke, Architect and Managing Director of RATHKE Architekten BDA Wuppertal, explains: “The transformation and optimisation of existing buildings is a key factor and is the basis for sustainability. Through new utilisation concepts, clever energy concepts and the creation of urban development concepts, the transformation of the Stadtgalerie offers the opportunity to make an exemplary contribution to the sustainable revision of existing buildings and the conversion of our city centres. Transparency, light and greenery elements will give the retail centre a new face. The entire city centre of Datteln will benefit from the opening of the centre and future opportunity to get together at a new market square and pedestrian zone.”

Mohamed Younis, Managing Director of Schoofs Immobilien Frankfurt, adds: “We are proud to once again work with our partners Greenman OPEN and GFORM to realise this important project in Datteln. Our joint efforts will ensure that the retail centre not only meets the needs of its visitors, but also makes an active contribution to sustainability and strengthening the local economy.”

The retail centre located in Datteln represents an important hub in the infrastructure of the surrounding region. The centre has a parking deck with 207 spaces and an underground car park with 76 spaces. Anchor tenants include retailers such as C&A, Deichmann, dm and Tedi.

© Photo Credits: RATHKE Architekten BDA Wuppertal