Investor wanted for building land at Kuhtor – deadline is July 18th!

Investor wanted for building land at Kuhtor – deadline is July 18th!

There is an exciting project on the table in Rostock that could further develop the city. We are looking for an investor for an undeveloped property at Ernst-Barlach-Straße 5, right next to the historic one Cow gate. The Rostock Society for Urban Renewal, Urban Development and Housing mbH (RGS) has launched the tender for the area in order to close a vacant lot and give the cityscape a new face.

The approximately 473 square meter property was once owned by a 19th century villa, which was destroyed in the Second World War. From then on the area lay fallow and became increasingly less important. The current situation does not correspond to the urban development goal that the RGS is pursuing. “The closure of this vacant lot in front of the city wall is essential for the eastern old town,” said a spokesman for the RGS.

Important details about the tender

A leasehold will be granted for the property, with the city remaining the long-term owner. The minimum bid for the annual interest payments is 6,000 euros. Interested investors have until July 18, 2025 to submit their offers. If no suitable buyer can be found by then, the citizenry must decide what to do with the property. Currently, the structural and functional situation at the site is anything but optimal. The undeveloped property creates an unclear spatial definition and weakens the urban integration of the Kuhtor, a central landmark of the city. There is a need for action here, and the RGS is optimistic that an investor will be found who has a good hand and will close the vacant lot in a meaningful way.

The unused area is part of a larger initiative. The state initiative “New Living in the City Center” not only aims to close vacant lots, but also to support the creation of homes. Since 2005, 25 construction projects have been funded across the country, including seven in Rostock. Another project is in preparation, with four houses already completed. Interestingly, around 90 percent of vacant lots are privately owned, which is often due to owners' skepticism about building projects.

Funding opportunities for builders

The RGS not only supports developers with planning law issues, but also in dialogue with city authorities. A competition for architects should also help to increase the architectural quality in Rostock's city center. Three architects will be drawn and will each receive 1,500 euros for their designs. A committee consisting of representatives of the city administration, the redevelopment agencies and the developers discusses the proposals. Anyone who needs further planning assistance can receive up to 5,000 euros in funding from the RGS to help them realize their ideas.

This makes it clear: Rostock has big plans, and the area on Ernst-Barlach-Straße could make a significant contribution to the improvement of the eastern old town. The city is hoping for committed investors who will use their ideas to advance the long-planned development.

For more information about the tender and current projects in Rostock, visit the website RGS Rostock and Rostock today.