The Gropius Passagen are undergoing a significant development with the conclusion of a long-term lease agreement with TK Maxx. The internationally leading off-price retailer will occupy an area of approximately 2,000 square metres on the ground floor of the former department store space. This new letting establishes TK Maxx as another anchor tenant of the centre and is scheduled for autumn 2027.
The area in question is part of the former Karstadt section, which, along with adjacent areas, is undergoing comprehensive redevelopment. This transformation includes the creation of a new, more visible entrance and the division of the former department store into three separate units. TK Maxx will be the first tenant to establish itself in this project. With this long-term letting, a central retail space in the Gropius Passagen is being reactivated, which underlines the strategic further development of the tenant mix in the fashion and value segment.
The conclusion of the contract is the result of a cooperative effort between the Centre Management, the Centre Operator Pradera, and the service provider PRIME, mandated for the letting. Pradera's Head of Asset Management, Sergi Capdevila, stated that with the new letting of the former department store space, an important milestone in the further development of the Gropius Passagen has been reached. He emphasised that the contract with TK Maxx is the first and at the same time most important building block of the redevelopment of this central area and confirms the attractiveness of the location as well as the continuously high demand for high-quality retail spaces.
The positive development of the location is also reflected in relevant key figures. In the first half of 2026, an increase in visitor frequency of 6.1 percent was recorded compared to the same period last year. Simultaneously, turnover rose by 2.5 percent. The current contract with TK Maxx fits into an overall positive letting development, which was initiated since the takeover by Hayfin in 2025 and the collaboration with PRIME Retail Consulting as letting advisor. As part of this development, numerous existing lease agreements have been secured long-term.
- —Rossmann has extended its lease agreement.
- —ONLY has extended its contract and intends to significantly expand its sales area.
- —Optik Bode, Deichmann, and Vodafone have also extended their contracts and are investing in the location.
- —A new agreement with APCOA has been concluded.
Marcel Jörke, Managing Director of PRIME Retail Consulting, described the letting to TK Maxx as an important kick-off for the redevelopment of the former department store space. He explained that further promising discussions with potential tenants are already underway and there is great interest in the Gropius Passagen location. This confirms the existing concept and makes him optimistic for the upcoming development steps. Further new lettings are already in implementation and will be communicated in the coming months.
