Empty Luxury Apartments in Kreuzberg Cause Concern: "I Find It bothersome"
In the heart of Berlin's popular Kreuzberg district, the Hofgartenhaus continues to offer luxury apartments for sale, with prices ranging between €959,000 and €1,589,000. However, the current status of these properties and the reasons behind some units remaining vacant are subjects of ongoing investigation by the district office's working group on misuse of residential space.
Located in a district known for its high property values, the Hofgardenhaus has a rich history. Master Mason Riehmer designed a courtyard garden for wealthy tenants in 1881, and a new building, completed in July 2024, now stands on the site. The modern structure boasts features such as underfloor heating under oak parquet floors and floor-to-ceiling windows.
The new building, developed by Baywobau from Munich, houses 28 owner-occupied apartments. Yet, according to the district office of Kreuzberg, no vacancy permits have been issued for the Hofgartenhaus. The exact number of apartments sold through Penta, the platform where they are still being advertised, remains unclear.
Rolf Schikorr, a resident of the historical Riehmers Hofgarten nearby, finds the empty new apartments in the Hofgartenhaus unattractive. Only one of the seven apartments Schikorr has in mind is permanently occupied. Schikorr lived on a wasteland for many years with a car parked there for €40 a month. The wasteland is now the site of the new building.
While the specific reasons for vacancies in the Hofgartenhaus are yet to be determined, high prices and speculative holding of apartments could be contributing factors. The city of Berlin is currently experiencing a housing shortage, and some potential tenants or buyers may find the asking prices too high, leading to prolonged vacancies.
It's worth noting that Baywobau, the developer of the new building, does not comment on what buyers do with their property post-sale. The company also does not see the potential threat of misuse of residential space as a concern for their project. Fines can be imposed for such misuse, a law that has been in effect since 2018.
For more precise figures and specific reasons for vacancies at the Hofgartenhaus, direct listings from Berlin real estate platforms or local property management agencies specialising in Kreuzberg would be required.
[1] This information is based on generally available knowledge up to mid-2025.
[1] Despite the lucrative lifestyle and attractive real-estate opportunities in the Hofgartenhaus, there's an ongoing investigation into vacancies, possibly due to high prices and speculative holding of apartments.
[2] Finance plays a role in the Hofgartenhaus, with prices ranging between €959,000 and €1,589,000; however, the exact number of apartments sold through Penta remains uncertain.
[3] Beyond real-estate, home-and-garden enthusiasts might finds the Hofgartenhaus intriguing, as it boasts modern features like underfloor heating under oak parquet floors and floor-to-ceiling windows.
