New urban quarter on the southern edge of Berlin moves into implementation

In the south of Berlin, in Lichterfelde, one of the capital’s largest residential development projects can now get underway. The Groth Group, the previous owner of the site, and the project partners have successfully concluded all key agreements for the development of the new Neulichterfelde urban quarter. This creates the conditions for implementing the project between 2026 and 2035.

Around 2,500 apartments are to be built on the approximately 97-hectare site, of which 36 hectares are designated for development and 61 hectares consist of pastureland. The plan is for a mixed-use neighborhood with a broad range of subsidized and privately financed housing for different household sizes and income groups. The residential offering will be complemented by strong social infrastructure and good public transport connections. The 61-hectare “Lichterfelde pasture landscape” will be preserved as a biodiversity hotspot.

Christian Gaebler, Senator for Urban Development, Building and Housing: “We need affordable housing in all parts of the city. The new partnership secures 2,500 apartments in Lichterfelde Süd, providing a new home for more than 5,000 people in Berlin. With this development, we are staying on a growth trajectory in residential construction. In this legislative period, 80,000 new apartments will be built. That is good news for tenants in Berlin.”

Patrick Steinhoff, District Councillor for Urban Development: “We are pleased to welcome the new participants in the project, who are committed to creating urgently needed housing in southwest Berlin. The Steglitz-Zehlendorf district will support the realization of the largest residential construction project in the district in close coordination with the project partners.”

degewo strengthens its portfolio with over 1,000 apartments

degewo, one of Berlin’s leading municipal housing companies, is developing more than 1,000 apartments for its own portfolio, over 50% of which will be subsidized. In doing so, the municipal housing company is making a significant contribution to securing affordable housing in the long term within the new district.

degewo with WÖHR + BAUER – strong partnership for over 850 apartments

The joint venture between degewo and WÖHR + BAUER will deliver more than 850 apartments across four construction phases, as well as key elements of the neighborhood, including the district center and a climate-neutral energy supply for the homes.

“With WÖHR + BAUER, we have found a joint venture partner with a high level of reliability and execution expertise,” explains Kai-Marten Maack, who will join the degewo Management Board in May 2026. “Here, municipal and private stakeholders are pooling their strengths to effectively help ease pressure on Berlin’s housing market.”

Christoph Beck, Member of the degewo Management Board, adds: “As a municipal housing company, our mandate is to provide affordable housing. We are therefore very pleased to be able to create more than 1,000 affordable apartments here. This will realize one of the largest new-build projects we have ever undertaken and allows us to continue contributing in a growing city.”

A central component of the district is the neighborhood square at the S-Bahn station, featuring offices, medical practices, and local retail. Plans also include three daycare centers and a secondary school with sports facilities. “We are creating a neighborhood that truly works. With its clear urban design identity and high quality of stay, the district square is intended to form the heart of the development and serve as a vibrant meeting place for different generations,” explains Wolfgang Roeck, shareholder and managing director of WÖHR + BAUER.

The district will benefit from strong transport links: the Lichterfelde Süd S-Bahn station and several bus routes provide direct connections to the city center; Berlin Central Station can be reached in around 45 minutes.

In addition, the joint venture between degewo and WÖHR + BAUER will be responsible for developing the infrastructure of the approximately 36-hectare development site.

Former owner Groth Group contributes around 420 townhouses to the development

Around 420 townhouses will be developed by the Groth Group. The company was previously the owner of the site and has played a key role in advancing the project over the past 14 years.

With the adoption of the development plan statute by the Steglitz-Zehlendorf district in 2024, the legal planning basis for implementing the new Neulichterfelde urban quarter was established.

Thomas Groth, Managing Director of the Groth Group, says: “We are pleased about the new partnership and look forward to jointly delivering part of this major urban development project.”

A strategic contribution to the provision of affordable housing

Berlin’s housing market remains under pressure: according to the Pestel Institute, around 20,000 new apartments per year will be needed until 2028, while the number of building permits has recently declined significantly. There is a structural supply deficit, particularly in the south of Berlin.

“Affordable housing can only be created if projects can be planned and implemented reliably. Currently, high interest rates, increased equity requirements, and, in some cases, investor hesitation are slowing down new construction,” adds Roeck. “If we want to get residential construction moving again, we need strong partnerships and reliable framework conditions between municipal and private stakeholders. With Neulichterfelde, we are demonstrating how new housing supply can be created in this way.” WÖHR + BAUER has been developing and delivering commercial real estate, housing, and mobility solutions for around 35 years, including in Berlin.

Advisors involved

• GSK Stockmann, Jennifer Bierly and Prof. Dr. Jan Kehrberg, for WÖHR + BAUER
• FPS, Stefanie Kalke and Christoph von Arnim, for degewo
• SCHILLHORN Rechtsanwälte, Dr. Ulf Schillhorn, for the Groth Group
   

For more information on the region's economic development or support for businesses, investors, and research institutions, please contact:

Sandra Koletzki ​​​​​​ | sandra.koletzki(at)airport-region.de

(Source: degewo; WÖHR + BAUER; Groth Gruppe , 03|12|2026 | “degewo and WÖHR + BAUER take over the Lichterfelde Süd residential development project from the Groth Group”)