Nationwide real estate developer CELLS has concluded a long-term lease agreement for the office ensemble The Tailory in Berlin-Mitte on behalf of the owner. The future occupier of the property at Oberwallstraße 6 is the Federal Chamber of Notaries. The agreement comprises around 7,600 square metres of office space as well as twelve car parking spaces, and features a fixed term of 15 years. The handover of the leased space to the public-law corporation is scheduled for spring 2029. The transaction was brokered by advisory firm Cushman & Wakefield.
The Federal Chamber of Notaries had previously specified clear requirements for its future working environment. As contemporary work environments can often only be implemented with restrictions in classically structured existing buildings, CELLS developed a tailored space and layout concept in collaboration with Berlin architecture practice mmrtg. This translates the chamber's complex spatial programme into the historic building fabric, combining the demands of modern office organisation with the character of the listed property.
Transformation of a Neo-Renaissance listed building
The building at Oberwallstraße 6 looks back on a rich history. Constructed in 1891 as a clothing department store in the Neo-Renaissance style, it is now registered as a listed building in the Berlin heritage database. The property forms an integral part of The Tailory ensemble, which comprises nine historic and modern commercial and office buildings. The total lettable area of the quarter amounts to around 25,000 square metres and covers the addresses Oberwallstraße 6-7, Jägerstraße 27-33 and Taubenstraße 24-25.
The owner of the ensemble is a family office advised by CELLS. The site is managed via a multi-tenant concept and is almost fully let. In addition to traditional office space, the building complex houses an institute of higher education, a fitness studio and food and beverage offerings, among other amenities.
Long-term location security for digital and statutory responsibilities
As Dr Markus Sikora, President of the Federal Chamber of Notaries, explained, the future premises create optimal conditions for the long-term fulfilment of their statutory mandate. This includes in particular the operation and provision of central digital registers, including the Central Register of Lasting Powers of Attorney and the Central Register of Wills, as well as the implementation of online notarial procedures. In addition, the new headquarters will serve professional advocacy work on behalf of regional chambers of notaries and notaries across the entire federal territory. The spatial concept is designed to foster cross-departmental interaction and intensify internal exchange.
Andrea Wlodarz, Head of Leasing at CELLS, described the transaction as a significant success for the ensemble. Securing the Federal Chamber of Notaries brings a covenant-strong occupier that will shape the location for years to come. The conclusion of the lease also marks the start of the structural transformation of the traditional building into a forward-looking administrative property.
