NEULICHTERFELDE: From Plan to Reality
degewo and WÖHR + BAUER launch the development of one of Berlin’s largest urban districts with support from the Senate and borough
A new neighborhood for Berlin – approximately 2,700 residential units are being built on a total development area of around 36 hectares in Lichterfelde Süd, including:
- more than 1,000 apartments in degewo’s portfolio, more than 50% of which are subsidized,
- around 850 apartments in the joint venture between degewo and WÖHR + BAUER,
- around 430 apartments developed by WÖHR + BAUER as commissioned developer (Service Development),
- around 420 terraced houses by the Groth Group.
Around 61 hectares, including the “Lichterfelder Weidelandschaft,” will be preserved as an important natural area.
In Lichterfelde Süd, the implementation of one of the capital’s largest residential neighborhoods begins with the tender for infrastructure development. The joint venture between degewo and WÖHR + BAUER is responsible for developing the approximately 36-hectare site. The Senate and the Steglitz-Zehlendorf borough are closely supporting the project and its realization. The Groth Group, which has played a major role in advancing the project’s development over many years, will continue to be part of the neighborhood’s development with around 420 planned terraced houses.
There is still little to see on the approximately 97-hectare overall site, of which around 36 hectares are development area and 61 hectares are pastureland. However, a mixed-use urban neighborhood with approximately 2,700 residential units will be created here over the coming years. The residential offering will be complemented by efficient social infrastructure, public green spaces, and good connections to local public transportation. The so-called “Lichterfelder Weidelandschaft” will be preserved as an important natural area.
“Today marks the beginning of the concrete implementation of the new ‘Neulichterfelde’ urban neighborhood. Fourteen years of development lie behind us – a long and not always easy journey,” emphasized Thomas Groth, Managing Director of the Groth Group, at the launch. “The adoption of the development plan in 2024 created the legal basis for planning. We have always believed in this project and are pleased that it is now moving forward into the next implementation steps with renewed momentum.”
Groth then handed over a rolled-up plan to the joint venture between degewo and WÖHR + BAUER – also symbolically representing the transition from vision to implementation. This marks the beginning of the next phase of neighborhood development for the Senate, the borough, and the project partners.
Christian Gaebler, Senator for Urban Development, Building and Housing: “Today marks the starting signal for the development of a modern and socially balanced urban neighborhood in the southwest of Berlin with a high quality of life. It is of significance for the city as a whole, because a new home for more than 5,000 Berliners is being created here in a natural setting, including many apartments with affordable rents. This is approximately the size of the Hansaviertel district in Mitte. Projects like this are crucial to creating the urgently needed housing in our growing city.”
The Steglitz-Zehlendorf borough also emphasizes the project’s significance. Patrick Steinhoff, Borough Councillor for Urban Development: “With the development plan, the Steglitz-Zehlendorf borough created the basis for developing the new Lichterfelde Süd urban neighborhood. We now look forward to implementing the project jointly with the new partners in order to create the urgently needed housing in Berlin’s southwest.”
While the Senate and the borough are establishing all the formal and political foundations, the joint venture is beginning the concrete implementation. The state-owned housing company degewo emphasizes its responsibility. “With more than 1,000 apartments for its own portfolio – more than 50% of which are subsidized – as well as a further approximately 850 apartments in the joint venture with WÖHR + BAUER, we are making an important contribution to securing affordable housing in the long term. WÖHR + BAUER is a partner that has already demonstrated in the past that it can reliably implement major urban development projects,” explains Kai-Marten Maack, Member of the Executive Board of degewo. “Together, we are now taking this neighborhood from planning to realization.”
“The tender for the relevant infrastructure construction work marks the beginning of the neighborhood’s implementation. At the same time, planning for the first construction site is already underway,” explains Wolfgang Roeck, Managing Director and Shareholder of WÖHR + BAUER. “We intend to submit the building application for the first construction sites in the fall. To ensure a swift start to construction later this year, it is now essential to implement the next steps quickly together with the borough.”
The project also stands for continuity:The previous project team led by Alexander Klonz will form the new project team together with the partners as members of the management team of WÖHR + BAUER Wohnen GmbH. At the same time, the realization phase that is now beginning will receive targeted new momentum step by step through the joint venture under the operational leadership of WÖHR + BAUER.
A central element of the neighborhood is the town square at the S-Bahn station, with offices, medical practices, and shops serving local needs. The plans include, among other things, three daycare centers and a school with sports facilities and a gymnasium. “The town square at the S-Bahn station will be the heart of the new district. With housing, local amenities, and social facilities, a vibrant meeting place for different generations is being created here,” explains Wolfgang Roeck. “By 2035, with strong support from the Senate and the borough, a new, vibrant urban neighborhood for Berlin will be created here.”
Image: Symbolic handover of the rolled-up plan to the new project partners degewo and WÖHR + BAUER (from left: Malgorzata Sijbrandij, Borough Councillor for Education, Culture and Sport; Steglitz-Zehlendorf borough; Patrick Steinhoff, Borough Councillor for Urban Development, Steglitz-Zehlendorf borough; Tim Richter, Deputy Borough Mayor and Borough Councillor for Citizen Services, Social Affairs, Education and Culture, Steglitz-Zehlendorf borough; Wolfgang Roeck, Managing Director and Shareholder (CEO), WÖHR + BAUER GmbH, Pascal Atzert; Member of the Executive Board, degewo; Kai-Marten Maack, Member of the Executive Board, degewo; Urban Aykal, Borough Councillor for Public Order, Environmental and Nature Conservation, Roads and Green Spaces, Steglitz-Zehlendorf borough; Thomas Groth, Managing Director, Groth Group; Carolina Böhm, Borough Councillor for Youth and Health, Steglitz-Zehlendorf borough; Senator Christian Gaebler; Senate Department for Urban Development, Building and Housing
