The state-owned housing company BayernHeim has held the official groundbreaking ceremony for a new residential quarter in Lichtenfels, Upper Franconia. Across the approximately 16,000-square-metre 'Am Brückleinsgraben' site, a total of 98 rental flats with a cumulative living space of roughly 6,900 square metres are being built. The total investment volume stands at around EUR 40.8 million. Attendees at the ceremonial launch included Jürgen Baumgärtner, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Baunova Bayern GmbH, Member of the Bundestag Emmi Zeulner, Second Mayor Christina Deuerling, as well as managing directors Fabian König (BayernHeim) and Andreas Nietsch (Baunova Bayern).
Of the 98 units, 81 flats are being realised under the income-oriented subsidy scheme (EOF) and are subject to a 55-year rent-control commitment. Following deduction of the income-related subsidy, monthly rents here start at EUR 6.10 per square metre plus service charges. A further 17 flats will be made available to the privately financed rental market. Jürgen Baumgärtner stressed that this is already BayernHeim's fourth scheme in Upper Franconia, demonstrating that the Free State is creating reliable framework conditions as well as affordable housing for average earners and young families on the Upper Main.
Structured housing mix and industrial planning concept
The five-storey structures feature a diversified accommodation schedule aimed at various household sizes. The breakdown comprises the following units:
- —39 two-room flats for single persons and couples
- —44 three-room flats for smaller families
- —15 larger units, divided into 10 four-room and 5 five-room flats
All residential units are designed to be step-free, five of them are fully wheelchair accessible, and each features a balcony or terrace along with dual-aspect lighting. In terms of planning, BayernHeim is relying on a modular system developed jointly with Weismain-based construction contractor dechant, which has already been deployed on a project in Kulmbach. For the Lichtenfels location, the floor plans underwent targeted refinement. As Andreas Nietsch explained, Baunova is pooling the strengths of its companies to deliver housing efficiently for diverse income groups across Bavaria.
Energy standards and project milestones
The quarter meets the KfW 55 energy efficiency standard. Heat is supplied via a contracting model based on a centralised pellet heating plant. In addition to green spaces and a children's playground, the landscape design includes a dedicated rainwater retention basin. For private transport, 98 car parking spaces are being created, 34 of which are carports, supplemented by bicycle storage facilities in the immediate vicinity of the buildings.
The residential development is located roughly a 15-minute walk from the railway station and town centre and benefits from bus connections. The construction schedule envisages completion of the structural shell and roof structure by the end of 2027. Initial handovers of flats to tenants are scheduled for early 2029.
