LU: in Mainz – a leisure quarter with notable anchor tenants
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 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.
