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Für den Gesundheitscampus MainMED in Flörsheim steht ein weiterer Nutzer fest. Die Fitnessstudio-Gruppe Aktiv & Gesund wird in der ehemaligen Kapellenfläche im sechsten Stock ein Studio eröffnen. „Das wird ein unfassbar schickes Studio“, freut sich Fitnessexperte Sven Singhoff von Aktiv & Gesund. Die Lage im sechsten Obergeschoss in Kombination mit der 6,50 Meter hohen, raumbreiten Fensterfront ermöglicht ein Training mit spektakulärer Aussicht über Flörsheim. Zurzeit sind noch die Handwerker im Einsatz. Die Malerarbeiten, der Elektroausbau und die Sanitärinstallationen laufen auf Hochtouren. Schon bald sollen hier die Flörsheimer und natürlich auch Menschen aus dem Umland ins Schwitzen kommen. Mit einer Pre-Opening-Phase wir das neue Studio bereits in der zweiten Aprilhälfte erstmals seine Pforten öffnen.

Das Angebot von Aktiv & Gesund richtet sich an Sportbegeisterte und solche, die es werden wollen und hat dabei von Jugendlichen bis Senioren alle Altersgruppen im Blick. Zur modernen Ausstattung des Studios gehört unter anderem ein vollautomatisiertes Zirkel-Krafttraining. Über ein Armband, auf dem die individuellen Voreinstellungen gespeichert sind, passen sich die verschiedenen Geräte automatisch auf den jeweiligen Trainingsbedarf an. „So ist sichergestellt, dass man sich beim Training nie überlastet, aber vor allem auch nicht unterbelastet“, erklärt Singhoff schmunzelnd und fügt hinzu: „Schließlich wollen unsere Mitglieder mit ihrem Workout Erfolge erzielen“. Weitere Angebote des Studios sind unter anderem klassisches Freihanteltraining und funktionelle Übungen speziell als Prophylaxe im fortgeschrittenen Alter. Ein krankenkassenbezuschusstes Präventionstraining unterstützt auch Sportmuffel dabei, den Einstieg in einen gesünderen Lebensstil zu finden.

Das Netzwerk des Gesundheitscampus mit vielfältigen medizinischen Expertisen wie unter anderem Orthopädie und Physiotherapie im direkten Umfeld sieht Singhoff als Gewinn: „Wir können hier alle nur voneinander profitieren“, betont der Fitnessexperte. „So können wir unseren Kunden bei konkretem medizinischem Bedarf direkt Ansprechpartner im selben Gebäude empfehlen“.

Lars Heimann, Geschäftsführer der J. Molitor Immobilien GmbH, die den Gesundheitscampus MainMED entwickelt, ergänzt: „Wir freuen uns, dass wir für die Kapellenfläche eine Nutzung gefunden haben, von der die Flörsheimer regelmäßig und in so besonderer Weise profitieren können“, so Heimann. Auch insgesamt gehe es mit dem Großprojekt Gesundheitscampus auf die Zielgerade. Anfang März ist die Bahnhofs-Apotheke in den Gesundheitscampus umgezogen. Zudem bereichert seit Anfang des Jahres die Allgemeinarztpraxis Dres. Hölscher & Drossard den Campus. In der Privatklinik im 1. OG werden ab April 2024 die ersten Operationen durchgeführt. Weitere Nutzer, wie z.B. die Dialyse, die Kardiologie, das Sanitätshaus sowie das Bistro GenussWerk werden in den kommenden Wochen ihre neuen Flächen eröffnen. Somit werden nun auch die teilweise als Interimslösung für Arztpraxen genutzten Wohnungen frei. Mietinteressenten können sich über mieten@molitor-immobilien.de für den Vermietungsstart registrieren. Für Ärzte und Bürosuchende gibt es noch einzelne Flächenangebote im Gesundheitscampus, nähere Infos unter www.molitor-immobilien.de.

Gute Nachrichten für den angespannten Mainzer Wohnungsmarkt: Die PG Fort Gonsenheim GmbH, ein Gemeinschaftsunternehmen der Rheinhessen Sparkasse, der Volksbank Darmstadt Mainz eG und der J. Molitor Immobilien GmbH, hat am Freitag den 1. März 2024 den Bauantrag für das Wohnquartier „Am Schützenhaus“ in Mainz Hartenberg-Münchfeld eingereicht. Mit dem Quartier, bestehend aus insgesamt 126 sozial geförderten Wohnungen, wollen die Investoren zeitnah einen wichtigen Beitrag zur Wohnraumversorgung in der Landeshauptstadt leisten.

Möglich macht dies eine Sonderregelung der Bundesregierung (“Baulandmobilisierungsgesetz” / Grundlage Neufassung §201 a BauGB, iV. mit § 31 III BauG) , die eigens mit dem Ziel der zügigen Wohnraumschaffung in Gebieten mit angespannter Wohnungslage erlassen wurde. Die Planung für das Quartier „Am Schützenhaus“ ist bereits mit der für die soziale Wohnraumförderung zuständigen Investitions- und Strukturbank Rheinland-Pfalz (ISB) vorabgestimmt. Bei reibungslosem Verlauf des Baugenehmigungsverfahrens könnten somit bereits im Herbst 2024 die Bagger rollen.

„Wir freuen uns, dass wir angesichts der Wohnraumknappheit in Mainz hier ein starkes, positives Zeichen setzen können“, so Dr. Wolfram Pika, Mitgeschäftsführer der Projektgesellschaft. Mit dem Quartier wollen die Investoren für eine breite Zielgruppe bezahlbares Wohnen in Mainz ermöglichen. Durch unterschiedliche Förderstufen sei eine gute Durchmischung des mit 100 Prozent sozialer Förderung geplanten Quartiers sichergestellt. So ist die Hälfte der Wohnungen für Menschen mit mittleren Einkommen vorgesehen, die es aufgrund der hohen Mietpreise ebenfalls schwer haben, in Mainz eine Wohnung zu finden. „Mit dem Wohnquartier `Am Schützenhaus´ möchten wir ein Zuhause schaffen, in dem sich auch die Polizistin und der Laborant mit ihren zwei Kindern eine Wohnung in Mainz leisten können“, ergänzt Yvonne Rosenberger, Direktorin Immobilien der Rheinhessen Sparkasse und verbindet damit ein klares Bekenntnis zum Standort Mainz. Auch angesichts der wirtschaftlichen Dynamik mit weiteren großen Ansiedlungen wie etwa im Bereich der Biotechnologie sei es jetzt ein Gebot der Stunde, gemeinsam mit der Stadt Mainz den Wohnungsbau kraftvoll voranzubringen.

Bildnachweis: PG Fort Gonsenheim GmbH

LU: Quartier Mainz: Edeka Südwest sichert sich Top-Lage / Bereits 70 % des LU: vermarktet

An der Mainzer Ludwigsstraße, einer der Haupteinkaufsstraßen der rheinland-pfälzischen Landeshauptstadt, entwickeln die J. Molitor Immobilien GmbH und die Sparkasse Rhein-Nahe das neue Innenstadt-Quartier LU:. Mit einem ambitionierten Mixed Use-Angebot aus Handel, Kultur, Gastronomie und Hotel soll das LU: zum neuen pulsierenden Anziehungspunkt in der Mainzer City werden. Das Konzept kommt an: Bereits 70 % der Flächen des LU:Quartiers sind vermarktet. Mit EDEKA Südwest hat sich jüngst ein namhafter Player die Pole Position für den innerstädtischen Lebensmitteleinzelhandel gesichert. „EDEKA ist weit mehr als nur Nahversorgung“, unterstreicht Molitor-Geschäftsführerin Tina Badrot. „EDEKA ist ein Garant für zeitgemäße und attraktive Einkaufserlebnisse und passt damit perfekt zum gehobenen Konzept des LU:Quartiers“. Gleichzeitig bereichere EDEKA Südwest als neues Gesicht die Einzelhandelslandschaft in der Mainzer Innenstadt. Geplant ist ein hochmoderner Lebensmittelmarkt, der auf rund 1.600 m² Verkaufsfläche die klassischen Stärken eines EDEKA-Vollsortiments entfaltet: angefangen bei der großen Auswahl frischer Lebensmittel über bekannte Marken, beliebte EDEKA-Eigenmarken und Artikel auf Discountpreisniveau bis hin zu kompetenter Beratung an den Bedientheken für Fleisch, Wurst, Käse und Fisch sowie einem Backshop. Durch die zentrale Lage adressiere der Vollsortimenter unterschiedliche Zielgruppen, betont Irina Schmidt, Gebietsexpansionsleiterin EDEKA Südwest: „Lage und Infrastruktur sind ideal sowohl für spontanes Shopping beim Innenstadtbummel als auch für den Großeinkauf mit PKW“. Durch ÖPNV-Knotenpunkte im direkten Umfeld, ein angeschlossenes Parkhaus mit rund 300 Stellplätzen sowie ein Fahrradparkhaus biete das LU: optimale Erreichbarkeit.

LU:Quartier punktet mit weiteren namhaften Ankermietern

Konzept und Toplage des LU: wissen auch weitere namhafte Ankermieter zu schätzen. So ist bereits auch der Mietvertrag mit der Mannheimer Modehaus-Gruppe Engelhorn unter Dach und Fach, die mit einem Sportkonzept ansiedeln wird. Insgesamt werden rund 10.000 m² Handelsfläche im LU:Quartier entstehen. Zudem wird die tristar-Gruppe aus Berlin ein 197-Zimmer-Hotel der Marke TRIBE eröffnen, das unter anderem Tagungsräume, Co-Working -Spaces, Fitnessbereich und Rooftop-Gastronomien bieten wird. Vom Startschuss für den zweiten Bauabschnitt, in dem die Ankermieter EDEKA, tristar und Engelhorn ansiedeln werden, ist im Laufe der zweiten Jahreshälfte 2024 auszugehen. Wenn alles nach Plan läuft, soll noch 2026 das Band durchgeschnitten werden.

Innenstadtquartier mit Erlebnisfaktor

Eine tragende Säule des Quartiers ist der Erlebnischarakter. Neben der beeindruckenden Dachgartenlandschaft mit Gastronomien und Weitblick wird auch das Erdgeschoss zur Erlebniswelt werden. Dort soll eine große Pop-up-Halle für viel Abwechslung sorgen. „Auf rund 540 m² wird die Fläche Raum für Markenpräsentationen, Streetfood-Angebote, Stände von lokalen Publikumslieblingen und Veranstaltungen bieten“, so Volker Schick von der
Sparkasse Rhein-Nahe. Komplettiert wird der Erlebnisfaktor des LU:Quartiers durch frequenzbringende Kultur. So wird in den ersten Bauabschnitt des LU: auch ein großer Proben- und Konzertsaal des bundesweit renommierten Staatstheaters Mainz integriert sein und zur Strahlkraft des Quartiers beitragen.

Nachhaltiges Gebäudekonzept

Besonderes Augenmerk wird bei der Quartiersentwicklung auf ökologische Nachhaltigkeit gelegt: Beim Rohbau werden Zuschlagstoffe aus recyceltem Betonabbruch verwendet. Mit Blick auf die Energie- und Stromversorgung kommen Geothermie, adiabate Kühlung und Photovoltaik zum Einsatz. Zudem wird das LU:Quartier mit umfangreichen Dach- und Fassadenbegrünungen versehen. Baumneupflanzungen tragen zu einem verbesserten Mikroklima bei. Die Tiefgarage wird für E-Mobilität vorgerüstet.

Zu Edeka Südwest

Edeka Südwest mit Sitz in Offenburg ist eine von sieben Edeka-Regionalgesellschaften in Deutschland und erzielte im Jahr 2022 einen Verbund-Außenumsatz von 10,3 Milliarden Euro. Mit rund 1.130 Märkten, größtenteils betrieben von selbstständigen Kaufleuten, ist Edeka Südwest im Südwesten flächendeckend präsent. Das Vertriebsgebiet erstreckt sich über Baden-Württemberg, Rheinland-Pfalz und das Saarland sowie den Süden Hessens und Teile Bayerns. Zum Unternehmensverbund gehören auch der Fleisch- und Wurstwarenhersteller Edeka Südwest Fleisch, die Bäckereigruppe Backkultur, der Spezialist für Schwarzwälder Schinken und geräucherte Produkte Schwarzwaldhof, der Mineralbrunnen Schwarzwald-Sprudel, der Ortenauer Weinkeller und der Fischwarenspezialist Frischkost. Einer der Schwerpunkte des Sortiments der Märkte liegt auf Produkten aus der Region. Im Rahmen der Regionalmarke „Unsere Heimat – echt & gut“ arbeitet Edeka Südwest beispielsweise mit mehr als 1.500 Erzeugern und Lieferanten aus Bundesländern des Vertriebsgebiets zusammen. Der Unternehmensverbund, inklusive des selbständigen Einzelhandels, ist mit rund 47.000 Mitarbeitenden sowie etwa 3.000 Auszubildenden in rund 40 Berufsbildern einer der größten Arbeitgeber und Ausbilder in der Region.

Projektentwickler

Das Innenstadtquartier LU: ist eine gemeinsame Projektentwicklung der J. Molitor Immobilien GmbH und der Sparkasse Rhein-Nahe. Die Vermieterseite wurde in der Vertragsverhandlung durch ambas Real Estate beraten.

High interest rates, increased construction costs – the market environment for housing construction looks bleak. Many nationwide project developers have frozen their residential construction activities. In and around Mainz, it is primarily regional investors in the private sector who continue to build housing. As J. Molitor Immobilien GmbH reports, other major projects are being planned in addition to ongoing housing construction projects.

Purchase of parts of the Schott music publishing house

In the Weihergarten in Mainz’s old town, J. Molitor Immobilien GmbH, together with Sparkasse Rhein-Nahe, has just acquired some parts of the Schott Musikverlag headquarters building. By concentrating on the historical parts of the building located in the Weihergarten (picture), the traditional publisher is adapting to the increasingly digital market and changing working environments with a growing proportion of home offices by selling the parts of the building on Weißliliengasse. The area facing Weißliliengasse is to be converted into inner-city living space. “At this attractive location, together with our partner Sparkasse Rhein-Nahe, we want to create urgently needed living space in Mainz,” says Tina Badrot, Managing Director of J. Molitor Immobilien GmbH. Around 60 apartments are to be built on around 4,000 m² of living space in the Weißliliengasse area, supplemented by a small amount of office space and a communal courtyard that can be used for exclusive musical performances.

Molitor is creating a total of around 100 apartments in Mainz’s old town

The Weihergarten project is not the only residential construction project that J. Molitor Immobilien GmbH is pushing forward despite the challenging market situation in Mainz’s old town. Also in Mainz’s old town, just a few hundred meters away, the Weintor 12 residential ensemble has just celebrated its topping-out ceremony. In the former Bruder Konrad Stift property, Molitor is developing together with the Mainz company G.L. Kayser Immobilien GmbH and IGM Immobilien Gesellschaft Mainz mbH 30 apartments. Construction has begun on the first component of the LU: retail district, in which ten additional apartments will be created – also a project by Molitor and Sparkasse Rhein-Nahe, in this case together with the Mainz Cathedral Chapter. “In total, we will create around 100 apartments in Mainz’s old town in the coming years,” said the Molitor managing director.

Over 600 additional residential units in and around Mainz

At the same time, the Molitor boss emphasizes that further large housing projects in the districts and in the immediate surrounding area are still on top. The construction of 200 apartments, a joint project with Fischer & Co., is in full swing in Mainz-Weisenau. 25% social support is provided. For the Schützenhaus project in Mainz Hartenberg-Münchfeld, Molitor and its partners Volksbank Darmstadt Mainz and Rheinhessen Sparkasse are waiting for building permission for 110 – 130 apartments – also with social support. And in Budenheim, just outside Mainz, development work will begin in the new year for a district with 322 apartments, 44 terraced houses and six single-family homes. Molitor is developing here together with Orgentec Holding GmbH.

On Ludwigsstraße in Mainz, one of the main shopping streets in the state capital of Rhineland-Palatinate, J. Molitor Immobilien GmbH and Sparkasse Rhein-Nahe are developing the new inner-city LU: complex. With an ambitious mixed-use concept featuring retail stores, cultural spaces, gastronomy outlets and hotel rooms, the LU: complex is set to become the new bustling attraction in the city of Mainz. The leisure-based concept devised by the regional investors is drawing notable anchor tenants to Mainz. Most recently, the Berlin-based hotel group tristar and the Mannheim-based Engelhorn Group have secured space in the LU: complex. Work has already begun on the first construction phase.

tristar is opening a TRIBE hotel
The tristar Group from Berlin signed the lease agreement on 4 October 2023 at EXPO REAL for a 197-room establishment. In the heart of the city on the Rhine, just a short walk away from Mainz’s major tourism magnets, tristar will open a TRIBE hotel. tristar is a leading ‘white label’ hotel operator in the DACH region and will operate the TRIBE hotel as a franchisee of the hotel and lifestyle group Ennismore. ‘Defined by the way people want to live and travel, the TRIBE brand focuses on the things that really matter: smart, functional, design-led hotels that offer guests everything they require and nothing they don’t need,’ says tristar Chief Development Officer Jochen Weishaupt, adding: ‘The hotel in the LU: complex will feature a modern interior, useful design details, comfortable spaces and informal luxury.’ The plans include individually designed rooms, conference facilities and co-working spaces on an area covering around 500 m², plus a café and a fitness area. One particular highlight for hotel guests as well as the people of Mainz will be the rooftop restaurant and rooftop bar at the TRIBE hotel. Nestled within a green roof garden with a spectacular view of Mainz Cathedral and the State Theatre, a unique place is being created above the rooftops of Mainz.

Engelhorn is moving in with its sports concept
The project developers Molitor and Sparkasse Rhein-Nahe also have an eye on the retail sector and have already secured a notable anchor tenant for the LU: complex. At the end of September, the lease agreement was sealed with the Mannheim-based fashion group Engelhorn, which will be moving in with its sports concept. ‘With its high-quality range of sports fashion and sports equipment, Engelhorn fits perfectly into the upper mainstream or premium segment of the LU: complex and will also enhance the Mainz retail landscape by creating a new magnet for shoppers,’ says Molitor managing director Tina Badrot. Talks are also at an advanced stage for the full-range retailer on the ground floor. Around 10,800 m² of retail space will be built in the LU: complex, of which approximately 1,900 m² will be created in the first construction phase on Fuststraße.
The High Mayor of Mainz, Nino Haase, also believes the new tenants are sending out a strong signal for Mainz as a business location: ‘Ludwigsstraße is one of our main thoroughfares – and I am delighted that a new shopping and leisure complex of the highest quality is being created here. It is a pointer to the future of our city centre and our urban development. This level of quality and the tenants who we now know are moving into the new shopping complex prove that Mainz is a really exciting and attractive location for businesses, a location that is playing an increasingly important role in the Rhine-Main metropolitan region. I look forward to seeing further developments on Ludwigsstraße and being able to welcome more new tenants to our beautiful city.’

A city centre location for leisure activities
One key aspect of the complex is its leisure character. In addition to the impressive roof garden landscape with its dining options and commanding views, the ground floor will also become a world for leisure experiences. Here, a pop-up hall is set to offer a great deal of variety. An area covering around 540 m² will provide space for brand presentations, street food vendors, stands featuring favourites among the locals and a range of events,’ says Volker Schick from the Sparkasse Rhein-Nahe. The leisure experience at the LU: complex will be rounded off by cultural activities designed to generate footfall. For example, a large rehearsal space and concert hall for the nationally renowned Mainz State Theatre will also be integrated into the first construction phase of the LU: to boost the aura of the complex. Excellent public transport links, a multi-storey car park with around 300 parking spaces and a bicycle parking garage ensure that the LU: complex is easily accessible.

Sustainable building concept
There is a particular focus on environmental sustainability in the development. Recycled concrete aggregate is being used in the building shell. In terms of the energy and power supply, geothermal energy, adiabatic cooling and photovoltaics are being used. The LU: complex will also feature extensive green spaces on the roofs and façades. Newly planted trees will help to improve the microclimate. The underground car park is being equipped with the necessary infrastructure for e-mobility.

Karstadt closure seen as an opportunity
Molitor and Sparkasse Rhein-Nahe want to use the LU: complex to show how a former Karstadt location can be successfully repositioned. While the department store was still part of the plans for the complex up until the summer of 2020, the regional investors quickly adapted them following the closure of Karstadt in Mainz – and even used it as an opportunity. More precisely, since the end of 2020, the former Karstadt building has been used as an experimental space for the future LU: complex under the name ‘lulu’. The interim world of lulu is now making a name for itself far beyond Mainz with pop-up stands by local heroes as well as exhibitions and events, while also giving the people of Mainz a taste of things to come in the new leisure complex. The preparatory work for the first construction phase is currently under way. The green light for the second construction phase, when the anchor tenants tristar and Engelhorn will move in, is envisaged for spring 2024. If everything goes according to plan, the ribbon is set to be cut in 2026.

A strong signal for tourism in the Rheingau region: the new WALD.WEIT Rheingau Hotel & Retreat has held its topping-out ceremony. In 2024, the modern, sustainably designed hotel resort in the Hahnwald above Kiedrich will welcome its first holiday guests. With the hotel’s own forest and breathtaking views, the WALD.WEIT Rheingau Hotel & Retreat is the perfect location for enjoying new and very special experiences in the Rheingau region. The WALD.WEIT Rheingau Hotel & Retreat is reviving the tradition of the Hahnwald as a recreation location. The site was once home to the holiday centre owned by IG Bau-Steine-Erden, which was later used by the software company Ploenzke. With WALD.WEIT, a new chapter is now being written. A sustainably designed resort is being built, giving people from near and far the opportunity to experience the forest and vast landscape in the Rheingau region and replenish their energy levels. It starts with 80 rooms, a restaurant with a panoramic terrace, conference and event rooms and a rooftop spa. An expanded wellness area will follow in the second construction phase, along with an additional 120 hotel rooms. The project developer is the Ingelheim-based Gemünden/Badrot family with their company J. Molitor Immobilien GmbH. The regional investors have recently picked up prestigious awards for the revamp of the boutique hotel Hofgut Wißberg – Das Weinberghotel in Sankt Johann. ‘For the community of Kiedrich, but also on a personal level, I am looking forward to seeing the completion of the new WALD.WEIT Rheingau Hotel & Retreat here on the Hahnwald, the area’s so-called “local mountain”. The topping-out ceremony is a milestone in terms of the overall project. What is being created here by the Gemünden/Badrot family business has tourist appeal far beyond our region,’ says Winfried Steinmacher, Mayor of Kiedrich.

A multifaceted place of power
The WALD.WEIT Rheingau Hotel & Retreat draws on the relaxing effect of the Hahnwald, turning it into a holiday and event venue with all the associated amenities. ‘With its sweeping views, the Hahnwald is the box seat in the Rheingau region. And with its calming aura, its clean air and its lush flora, it is the perfect place for taking a break from hectic everyday life,’ says David Simon, General Manager of the WALD.WEIT Rheingau Hotel & Retreat, adding: ‘Guests can look forward to a place of power with inspiring architecture, gourmet cuisine and a wide range of activities.’ Whether stressed city dwellers, couples in love, active sportspersons, wine connoisseurs, families or older people who enjoy hiking, the WALD.WEIT Rheingau Hotel & Retreat will offer its guests different ways of unwinding according to their individual needs. ‘There are idyllic spots in the forest for yoga and meditation, picturesque hiking trails to places such as the nearby Eberbach Monastery, educational adventure trails, wellness options in the rooftop spa with magnificent, commanding views and there are even mountain bike trails for action enthusiasts,’ says the General Manager, outlining the activity programme.

Gerald Kink, Honorary President of DEHOGA Hessen, also sees the topping-out ceremony as a sign of new beginnings for the region: ‘The WALD.WEIT Rheingau Hotel & Retreat will not only be a place of relaxation and enjoyment, but a hotel resort that will bring people together from near and far. It will be a place of inspiration, creativity and togetherness. It shines like a beacon in the vast landscape of tourism and has the potential to shape the future of our beautiful Rheingau region on lasting basis.’

A new dining and event location for the Rheingau region
The culinary aspect will also play a key role. In addition to the hotel guests themselves, day visitors can also look forward to versatile dining options at the WALD.WEIT Rheingau Hotel & Retreat. The culinary delights will range from the à la carte menu in the restaurant with panoramic terrace to the summer ‘vineyard’. For special occasions and conferences, there will be a separate event floor with a breathtaking view. ‘It will be possible to hold events for up to 199 people in one room up here,’ says David Simon.

Architecture that reflects the forest
The architecture of the WALD.WEIT is a reflection of its natural surroundings and bears the signature of the renowned Wiesbaden architectural firm BGF+ Architekten. ‘The forest as a place of regeneration with its mysticism, its interplay of light and shadow, not to mention its trees and plants, provided the inspiration for the design,’ says architect Uwe Bordt. ‘The projecting front façade and the rails play with the structure and wild geometry of the forest.’ The interior brings the forest inside with natural materials, textures, patterns and the interplay of light and shadow, creating extraordinary spaces for the active hotel, the restaurant and the event area – such as the lobby with its spectacular mushroom gill design.

Sustainable construction and operation of the WALD.WEIT
There has been a particular emphasis on sustainability when building the WALD.WEIT Rheingau Hotel & Retreat. Geothermal energy is used for heating and cooling in combination with a woodchip biomass plant to cover the peak loads. Recycled material was used for modelling the rails. Wood is a key feature of both the natural façade and the interior design of the WALD.WEIT Rheingau Hotel & Retreat. Natural stone veneer panels serve as nesting sites and habitats for native reptiles and other animal species. To save resources when watering the outdoor spaces, a process water pond will be created and additional rainwater will be collected via retention roofs. Rainwater infiltration trenches will also help to relieve the pressure on the public sewer system. Extensive charging infrastructure for e-mobility rounds off the comprehensive sustainability concept at the WALD.WEIT.

Find out more at:
www.wald-weit.com

J. Molitor Immobilien GmbH and MAG Mainzer Aufbaugesellschaft mbH are developing another pioneering office building at Kisselberg Innovation Park: the new Aareon headquarters – a sustainable building for an inspiring workspace experience. The foundation stone laying ceremony was held on 12 September.

Aareon, the leading provider of SaaS solutions for the European real estate industry, and the project developers J. Molitor Immobilien GmbH and MAG Mainzer Aufbaugesellschaft mbH joined the Mayor of Mainz, Nino Haase, on 12 September to lay the symbolic foundation stone for Aareon’s new headquarters. The sustainable and pioneering office building is being built at Kisselberg Innovation Park at the entrance to the city of Mainz.

Harry Thomsen, CEO of Aareon, explains: ‘The new demands of a hybrid working world coupled with our social and environmental responsibility have prompted us to make this spatial change. We want to use the new headquarters to create a workspace experience that inspires people and encourages them to share ideas and collaborate. We are happy to realise this project in Mainz, where we feel very at home.’ Aareon has been based in Mainz for a number of decades – and in the Kisselberg area of Mainz since 2009. The site currently has around 500 employees. The new four-storey building will provide around 5,700 square metres of space (based on the gif standard) and is being built in the immediate vicinity. ‘We are creating a visionary workspace here with high environmental standards, high-quality design and many different feel-good factors,’ explains project developer F. A. Graf von Pfeil, Managing Director of J. Molitor Immobilien GmbH.

‘We are delighted to be able to team up with our project partner, J. Molitor Immobilien GmbH, to work on this pioneering construction project with its innovative development plan for the software company Aareon,’ adds MAG Managing Director Martin Dörnemann. ‘Due in no small part to its proximity to the university and the new biotech and life sciences campus, Kisselberg Innovation Park is becoming even more attractive.’

In his welcome address, High Mayor Nino Haase said: ‘You have been based in Mainz for over 60 years and I can guarantee you one thing: this location here – and indeed our city of Mainz – has never been as attractive as it is right now and will be in the coming years. I congratulate you on a top location in an exciting district committed to innovation with notable companies and institutions, a place full of synergy opportunities between the science community and business world.’

The new building, designed by mann + schneberger from Mainz, will be built using an environmentally friendly timber construction method and equipped with photovoltaic systems on large sections of the outer walls. Heating and cooling are provided entirely by geothermal energy in combination with concrete core activation, creating an especially pleasant indoor climate. The flat roof on the building will be greened with grasses and perennials, providing a habitat for insects and birds in combination with the green outdoor spaces. At the same time, the retention roof will help to ease the burden on municipal waste water systems. One particular highlight will be the green outdoor space with a pond measuring approx. 220 square metres. The pond will provide the perfect spot for Aareon employees and guests to take a relaxing break and work in the fresh air, while at the same time offering a particularly lovely view from the conference rooms and the company restaurant. The underground car park with 71 parking spaces, which is being equipped with the necessary infrastructure for e-mobility, and the six outdoor parking spaces round off the sustainable building concept for the new Aareon headquarters.

It is not just the archaeologists at the Rhineland-Palatinate General Directorate for Cultural Heritage (GDKE) who are unable to resist ‘the LU:RE of Mainz treasures’. Since the start of the year, they have been unearthing many a relic from the Middle Ages and the Roman period on the construction site for the new LU: complex. Many members of the public are also regularly using the LU: container on Bischofsplatz to get an idea of the progress of the archaeological excavations. Now the LU: project developers, J. Molitor Immobilien GmbH and Sparkasse Rhein-Nahe, together with the GDKE, invite you to take part in a special inner-city experience. On Friday, 8 September 2023, from 1 to 6 p.m., those who are attracted to ‘the LU:RE of Mainz treasure’ can spend the afternoon on the construction site on Bischofsplatz. The archaeologists from the GDKE will present selected finds from the Middle Ages and Roman period and give groups a guided tour of the excavation site. Anyone who is similarly unable to resist the ‘LU:RE of Mainz treasures’ and wishes to take part will need to register. If you are interested in the event, please send an email, stating your preferred time, to: event@lu-erleben.de. Places for the guided tours are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

Mainzer Volksbank eG (MVB) has acquired the new office building occupied by Novo Nordisk Pharma GmbH at Kisselberg Innovation Park in Mainz. The sellers are J. Molitor Immobilien GmbH and MAG Mainzer Aufbaugesellschaft mbH, who jointly developed the property. The four-storey building is the new German headquarters of the Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk. The new building has approximately 7,900 m² of rental space (based on the gif standard), including a canteen and fitness area, as well as 115 underground parking spaces and 25 outdoor parking spaces. The diabetes specialist Novo Nordisk is the sole user of the building and can be contacted at the new location from 1 September 2023. The location in the immediate vicinity of the new biotech and life sciences hub that is set to be built in the coming years has considerable potential for synergy effects for the pharmaceutical company. Equally forward-looking is the new office building’s sustainability concept, featuring an energy supply that uses geothermal energy, photovoltaics, innovative wood fibre insulation with a particularly low carbon footprint and charging infrastructure for electric vehicles in the underground car park.

The ink has dried and the next tenant for LAB 1, the first building on the new biotechnology and life sciences site at the entrance to the city of Mainz is now known: ‘Professor Frederik Wurm from the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research (MPIP) and his start-up LigniLabs is renting a space covering around 470 m²,’ announced Molitor Managing Director F. Albrecht Graf von Pfeil. Together with G. L. Kayser Immobilien GmbH and IGM Immobilien Gesellschaft Mainz mbH, Molitor is developing the InnovationLabz laboratory space close to the city’s universities and well-known research institutes. The news also sends a major signal for Mainz as an up-and-coming biotechnology location. For polymer researcher Wurm, the location marks the end of a desperate search for suitable laboratory space. ‘LigniLabs is delighted to be given the opportunity to move into LAB 1. Laboratory space for chemical research is hard to find, and the proximity to our MPIP institute is ideal,’ says Wurm.

The activities of the successful spin-off in the field of sustainable crop protection are set to gain further momentum in the new premises. Together with his team, Wurm has developed a biotechnological fungicide that is of real importance to viticulture: its active ingredient fights the insidious fungal grapevine disease esca. If esca infests a grapevine trunk, it is destroyed from the inside within a short space of time. The fungal disease is difficult to control with conventional fungicides.

Wurm’s biotechnological fungicide ESCApe breaks new ground in grapevine protection: encapsulated in microspheres, the active ingredient is injected into the grapevine stem through a small borehole. The fungus dies as a result of absorbing the active ingredient.

LAB 1 is due for completion in summer 2025. At the new LigniLabs site, Wurm will continue to develop his biologically based crop protection products and embark on the approval process for the biological fungicide. The first batches of the initial ESCApe product are also set to be produced in LAB 1. It is quite possible that more space will very quickly be needed as LigniLabs continues to grow successfully. Molitor Managing Director F. Albrecht Graf von Pfeil is prepared for this eventuality: ‘LAB 1 is just the start. We are now working flat out to develop further laboratory buildings in order to meet the high demand as quickly as possible,’ says von Pfeil, while Edmund Schmitz, Managing Director of G.L. Kayser Immobilien GmbH, adds: ‘The planning application for LAB 2 – a site occupying around 8,000 m² – has already been submitted.’

Further information

www.innovationlabz.de

A new chapter is being written at the entrance to the city of Mainz following the handover of the keys to the Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk. That’s because the excavators are already getting down to work just a pedestrian bridge away from the new company building, where the new biotechnology and life sciences hub will be built in the coming years. Novo Nordisk thus presents itself as a pioneering company on the Mainz biotech and life sciences site and is already looking forward to networking closely with various interesting industry players in the future. In the summer, the diabetes specialist and around 250 of its employees will move into its new German headquarters, which has been developed by J. Molitor Immobilien GmbH and MAG Mainzer Aufbaugesellschaft mbH at Kisselberg Office Park.

The project developers from J. Molitor Immobilien GmbH and MAG Mainzer Aufbaugesellschaft mbH handed over the symbolic key to Novo Nordisk (from l. to r.):

• Tina Badrot, Managing Director of J. Molitor Immobilien GmbH
• Dr Manuel Steinhilber, Head of the Legal Department, Novo Nordisk Germany
• F. Albrecht Graf von Pfeil, Managing Director, J. Molitor Immobilien GmbH
• Christian Schupp, Managing Director and Project Manager, J. Molitor Immobilien GmbH
• Martin Dörnemann, Managing Director, MAG Mainzer Aufbaugesellschaft mbH
• Virginie Ricolleau, Head of Finance, Novo Nordisk Germany
• Jesper Wenzel Larsen, Managing Director, Novo Nordisk Germany
• Magdalene Rusvay, responsible for HR matters in newly occupied buildings, Novo Nordisk Germany
• Dr Kristin Sattler, Head of the HR Department, Novo Nordisk Germany
• Karolina Kraljec, Project Manager for New Buildings, Novo Nordisk Germany

Establishing the vineyard as a holiday destination in its own right is the ambitious concept embraced by Hofgut Wißberg – Das Weinberghotel in Sankt Johann to reposition itself. The hotel has been transformed into a boutique hotel with natural interior designs. New packages with vineyard activities have been put together to give visitors to Germany’s largest wine-growing region an authentic experience. In addition to golf breaks, holiday and conference guests can now enjoy yoga retreats – in the vineyard, among other places – and tours on the hotel’s own e-bikes. The self-confident step towards becoming a vineyard destination is bearing fruit: after winning the Best of Wine Tourism Award in 2022 and scooping the People’s Choice Award 2022, the 20-room hotel is now hoping to secure the next accolade. Tophotel, the leading magazine for the hotel industry, has nominated Hofgut Wißberg – Das Weinberghotel for the Tophotel Newcomer Award 2023. The trade magazine presents the coveted award annually in three areas, including the ‘Reopening’ category, in which Hofgut Wißberg – Das Weinberghotel has been nominated. The award is given to the best concept for a hotel reopening. The vineyard hotel in Rhine-Hesse is competing confidently with renowned hotels from Germany, Switzerland and South Tyrol. With this award, the trade magazine honours new concepts possessing a certain charisma for the hotel industry. The winner will be announced in mid-July.

In the heart of Mainz’s historic old town, modern living space is taking shape in the former Bruder-Konrad-Stift building. Between winding alleys and architectural gems, 30 modern apartments will be created in the traditional property by 2024. The future residents can look forward to a home that boasts a long and interesting history: the Bruder-Konrad-Stift building ensemble was once a patrician house first mentioned in the 13th century. Over the course of the centuries, parts of the ensemble have served as a prison, hospital, chapel, university lecture hall and living accommodation and recreational establishment for monks and nuns.

For more than a year now, the project developers J. Molitor Immobilien GmbH, IGM Immobilien Gesellschaft Mainz mbH and G.L. Kayser Immobilien GmbH have been writing a new chapter: the Bruder-Konrad-Stift building is being transformed into the ‘Weintor 12’ residential ensemble – a home for lovers of stylish urban living. Architect Ludwig Mann from the Mainz-based firm mann+schneberger, who has been providing technical support for the ensemble for decades, is overseeing the careful architectural revamp.

Following the first year of construction, the current state of progress provides fascinating insights, some of which allow us to delve deep into the past. Certain relics of the past can only be seen during the construction phase, reports architect Ludwig Mann: ‘One such example is a section of masonry that the sisters of the Bruder-Konrad-Stift repaired themselves after the devastation caused by the Second World War.’ Decorative highlights are being lovingly restored and will remain visible, wherever possible. For example, the residents of a certain apartment will one day be able to spruce themselves up in a bathroom featuring a groin vault. Of particular significance from a listed building perspective is the roof truss belonging to ‘Haus Schellenberg’, which is part of the ensemble and was built in 16th and 17th centuries. Preserving the roof truss is a complex task: for structural reasons, the historical elements will be integrated into a new roof truss. The carpentry team from the timber construction company Amman, which is part of the Gemünden Group, has to compensate for height differences of up to 20 centimetres. Parts of the historic wooden beams will be visible in the living areas.

Historic charm is being married with state-of-the-art living comfort and smart technology in Weintor 12, stresses Molitor Sales Manager Manuel Ludwig: ‘The energy supply will use geothermal energy. A wide range of building technology elements such as underfloor heating can be controlled via the smart home app, which also makes it easy to save energy on a daily basis. The myRENZbox system allows residents to conveniently send and receive parcels and deliveries, even when they are not at home. The sizes of the individually dimensioned two- to four-room apartments range from around 43 to 179 square metres. All units will feature real oak flooring, underfloor heating, multi-glazed wooden windows and high-quality bathroom suites and hardware. Most of the apartments will have barrier-free access. Particularly attractive from an architectural perspective are the attic apartments, most of which architect Mann has designed with exclusive Cabrio windows. In addition, three of the attic apartments afford a direct view of Mainz Cathedral. The majority of the other apartments will also feature balconies or terraces. A green inner courtyard will provide the ideal spot to while away the time and relax. Two thirds of the apartments have already been marketed. For Uwe Borgmann, Head of Sales at IGM Immobilien Gesellschaft Mainz, the extraordinary package plays the key role here: ‘Everything comes together in one place: the historic ambience, luxuriously appointed apartments and the location in the heart of Mainz’s old town – just a few minutes’ walk from Augustinergasse, the State Theatre, the banks of the Rhine and the shops in the city centre.’

The building ensemble is due for completion in the third quarter of 2024.

A multi-storey building is taking shape, which will house the Sparkasse customer service centre as well as rental apartments. The new Sparkasse building is being developed by EC 4 Ockenheim GmbH & Co. KG, a joint venture involving Sparkasse Rhein-Nahe and J. Molitor Immobilien GmbH.

A multi-storey building is taking shape, which will house the Sparkasse customer service centre as well as rental apartments. The new Sparkasse building is being developed by EC 4 Ockenheim GmbH & Co. KG, a joint venture involving Sparkasse Rhein-Nahe and J. Molitor Immobilien GmbH.
‘We are well on schedule,’ said a satisfied Tim Gemünden, Managing Director of J. Molitor Immobilien GmbH, at the topping-out ceremony for the new building in Bingen, Fruchtmarkt 3, before adding: ‘The new Sparkasse building is another milestone in the successful cooperation between J. Molitor Immobilien GmbH and Sparkasse Rhein-Nahe, and a particularly special one at that.’

The Mayor of Bingen, Ulrich Mönch, also stressed the importance of the new building for the town: ‘Existing in the shadows for a long time – the site is finally a striking entrance to the town! It is a solid fusion of careful and professional protection of a listed building and modern architecture, combining living space and services in the town centre. I am grateful to Sparkasse Rhein-Nahe and its partners for this ambitious project and look forward to seeing everything up and running and filled with life.’

A building with ‘added value’

At the start of the construction work, the former petrol station was demolished and the soil cleaned of hazardous substances. The shell of the building has already been built, providing an idea of how it will look in the future. The junction, which is important for locals and tourists alike as a transition point from the Rhine to the town centre, will be visually enhanced by the new building. Once complete, it will blend in harmoniously with the neighbourhood thanks to the colour scheme and choice of materials.

In the four-storey building, the Sparkasse itself will use the ground floor as well as the first and second floors. On the ground floor, the service advisors will greet their customers in a spacious entrance hall. This is also the location of the reception area for all those who have made an appointment for a consultation, which will take place on the first floor. There is also room for events on the first floor. On the second floor are the modern workspaces and quiet rooms, while on the top floor two residential units are being built for third-party rental.

With a so-called pop-up area, the new customer service centre offers regional companies and associations space to present their products and services. ‘Our themed rooms and exhibition space will enable us to create the utmost flexibility. We or our regional partners will be able to host events or small trade fairs in our multifunctional event area,’ says Brendel. The themed rooms will feature designs based on ‘Bingen themes’: one room will be fitted out in the style of a ‘vinotheque’, while another is dedicated to ‘Rhine romanticism’. What’s more, the consultation rooms will also have a regional reference: to Stefan George, Hildegard von Bingen, Klopp Castle, the annual ‘Rhine in Flames’ festival and the surrounding area of Bingen.

There will also be spacious waiting areas with free Wi-Fi and space for discreet talks with customers. In addition, a ‘marketplace’ serves as a meeting point where employees can communicate among themselves. It is a concept that has already met with a very positive response from employees at the S Finanz Forum in Bad Kreuznach and the new customer service centre in Ingelheim.

Fully automatic customer safe deposit boxes will also be installed, which can be accessed via the spacious self-service area. Sales Director Jürgen Saurwein explains: ‘This will enable our customers to withdraw their valuables without having to wait for help from our staff. It is an option that is in keeping with the times.’

Expertise concentrated in one place

Pascal Gemünden, the new manager of the customer service centre, is especially pleased that it will be possible to offer the entire range of services and advice here once it has opened – whether for private customers, such as ‘home builders’, who need information on property or finance or want investment advice, or medium-sized customers who wish to talk to their commercial and corporate customer advisors at the centre.

The open-plan building with state-of-the-art energy technology will embrace the new room concept, enabling customers to talk to their advisors in a modern, comfortable and discreet setting and providing the most innovative work environments for employees. At the same time, guidelines for ‘low-emission construction’ are being followed in line with the requirements for building certification issued by the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB). Only non-polluting materials are being used in order to keep in mind any potential health implications. For example, no zinc is being used. Instead, a decision was taken to clad the bay window with aluminium and opt for an aluminium roof drainage system in order to prevent any pollutants from being released into the environment. There will also be measurements to ensure that the indoor air quality is maintained at a healthy level for customers and employees and higher noise protection requirements are also taken into account. A photovoltaic system will generate electricity, a geothermal system will provide heat and charging stations will ‘refuel’ electric vehicles and e-bikes.

Move-in date set for the start of 2024

In the meantime, employees are involved in the planning of the future work environment and design proposals are being discussed together. This ensures that employees are included in the process, which in turn should guarantee greater acceptance and identification with their future work environment. The aim of reducing sitting by 35 per cent in order to prevent health problems has been kept in mind. Ways of working at different heights, supplemented by seating and standing options, wobble boards and smaller sports gimmicks, introduce little changes into the daily routine, stimulate the cardiovascular system and maintain mobility. The new room concept promotes communication and interaction, while quiet rooms allow employees to focus on their tasks.

The move-in date is set for the first quarter of 2024.

Work on the former St Martin’s Church in Eltville-Martinsthal is continuing apace. A modern residential ensemble is being built in and around the church built in 1964. The extraordinary project is being realised by J. Molitor Immobilien GmbH from Ingelheim.

The spectacular façade of St Martin’s Church with its ornate stained-glass windows is a dominant feature in the town and has been preserved. Inside, living space is being created on four levels. Lifts provide barrier-free access to all apartments. The renovation work has been a huge effort for the tradesmen involved, with the interior having been completely gutted. The ‘house within a house’ design – with additional walls on the inside of the church walls – is very energy-efficient. The nine individual apartments, some of which have a balcony or roof terrace, are due to be completed in summer 2023. The apartments have two or four rooms, spread across approx. 40 to 129 m² of living space. Nearby, on the site of the former community centre, a new building featuring three maisonette homes, each with around 140 m², will offer plenty of space for young families towards the end of the year.

Molitor Managing Director Lars Heimann is confident: ‘An ensemble for all generations is being built here, giving families the opportunity to move closer together, with the young family in the terrace-like maisonette home and grandma and grandad right next door in the apartment with barrier-free access in the former St Martin’s Church.’ A garage with twelve indoor parking spaces as well as additional outdoor parking spaces also provide comfortable mobility.

The church will also be able to return to the building and use rooms for community work. The community area will have a separate entrance, a community hall, a kitchen and a multipurpose room.

Careful architectural revamp

The renowned architectural firm BGF+ from Wiesbaden is responsible for the careful architectural revamp: ‘We are delighted to be able to repurpose this building with its history and significance. Instead of this church space simply disappearing, it will continue to be used in a sustainable manner. Bright, open-plan living spaces are being created, some with a view of the surrounding vineyards, which benefit from the cascading roof design inside,’ says Katrin Müller-Reimertz, partner at BGF+ Architekten, adding: ‘The striking natural stone façade and the ornately designed stained-glass windows will remain a key feature of the town centre in the future. New accents, such as embellished balcony balustrades, give the building a modern look and bring it into the present day. In place of the former presbytery, three maisonette-style residential units resembling a terraced house are being built. The third floor affords sweeping views of the Rheingau region.’

The location and architecture shape people’s quality of life quite considerably. Martinsthal benefits from its idyllic location among the vineyards. At the same time, the location of this residential ensemble in the heart of an established wine town creates a bond and sense of togetherness in the local community that is simply not possible in any other development area.

The architecture in a former sacred building is by its very nature special and spacious. High, partially cascading ceilings and extraordinary roof terraces result in unique architecture. A new building complements the former church with three residential units in the style of terraced houses. The church tower will be preserved as a landmark and identifying feature so that residents can say ‘I live in a former church’. One of the terraces is linked to the tower.

The Italian granite facing stone, the stained-glass windows and art objects from the former church will be preserved and integrated into the new spaces. Inside, everything has been revamped, with new features including an eco-friendly and stably priced energy supply using state-of-the-art geothermal energy. The apartments are suitable for singles, couples, families and older people alike.