Greystar, a globally active company specialising in the investment, development and management of rental apartments, has officially opened the Momento Berlin quarter in the Berlin district of Neukölln. The completion and handover of the 758 rental apartments was celebrated in the presence of residents, project partners, neighbours and city representatives. Among the guests was the Governing Mayor of Berlin. The Momento Berlin project is part of a broader quarter development on the former site of the BLUB leisure pool.
A total of 860 apartments were built on the almost 30,000 square metre site within approximately two years of construction. Additionally, a day nursery with over 100 places, along with various green spaces, recreational areas and communal areas, were realised. Of the completed residential units, 758 are managed and let by Greystar under the Momento Berlin brand. The remaining 102 apartments belong to Berlinovo and are designated for rent-controlled or subsidised letting.
Demands on modern living and construction methods
Mark Kuijpers, Senior Managing Director Central Europe at Greystar, stated that Momento Berlin represents a significant milestone for the company's growth in Germany. He highlighted the rapid change in housing requirements, driven by smaller households, increased mobility, and the use of the home as a workplace. Greystar leverages experience from various markets to identify such developments early on, combining this international perspective with local knowledge. The aim is to create rental apartments that meet current needs and to gain insights for future projects.
The housing options at Momento Berlin include studios and one- to three-room apartments, available both furnished and unfurnished. Residents also benefit from approximately 1,450 square metres of communal areas. These include co-working spaces, a fitness studio, sports courts, a roof terrace, and rooms for communal activities and leisure. An on-site team ensures operations and is available to tenants for technical queries.
Efficient implementation and sustainability aspects
The realisation of Momento Berlin was carried out in cooperation with the project developer Bauwens and the construction company Goldbeck. The construction utilised serial and industrially prefabricated elements, including wall elements with integrated windows, conduits, and wiring. Despite implementing diverse floor plans and individually designed communal areas, this construction method allowed for economies of scale due to the project's size and recurring building components. Michael Stapf, Managing Director Development at Greystar Germany & Austria, emphasised that Germany needs more housing and that projects can be realised more quickly and efficiently through standardised and prefabricated components, without compromising quality or diversity. He stressed the importance of collaboration among all stakeholders.
- —Heat from the sewage system for building heating and cooling.
- —Photovoltaic systems on the roofs for local electricity generation.
- —Green retention roofs for rainwater storage and microclimate improvement.
- —Green spaces, trees and shrubs to connect the buildings and create communal gathering areas.
The design of the energy supply and exterior areas considered the long-term operation of the quarter. The completion of Momento Berlin marks the continuation of Greystar's commitment to the Berlin housing market. The company is also developing approximately 428 rental apartments in Marzahn together with Ten Brinke. Furthermore, Greystar is working with PRIMUS on additional projects in the capital, with a joint pipeline of approximately 1,400 planned apartments in Pankow, Charlottenburg, Kreuzberg and Prenzlauer Berg.
