The May&Co Group from Hamburg has acquired the property at Dompropst-Ketzer-Straße 1–9 in Cologne. The site is located in direct proximity to Cologne Central Station and the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Cologne Cathedral. The development of a refined lifestyle hotel with approximately 250 rooms is planned for this area. The transaction includes one of the few remaining available development plots in the immediate vicinity of the Cathedral.
The approximately 1,600 m² site was previously used as a location for office and commercial buildings. The planned new building envisages retaining the two basement levels of the existing building from 1974, while the above-ground structure will be completely replaced by a new construction. This approach underscores the May&Co Group's sustainability strategy, which also includes LEED Gold standard certification for the project.
Project Scope and Sustainability Aspects
The total gross floor area of the planned hotel project amounts to approximately 13,200 m². Additionally, about 40 underground parking spaces are planned. Completion of the project is expected by mid-2030. Andreas Gladisch, Managing Director of the May&Co Group, commented on the acquisition. He emphasised that the location, due to its prominence at the intersection of the central station and the World Heritage Site of Cologne Cathedral, is ideally suited for a hotel development.
Gladisch highlighted that the project would represent a landmark feature in one of Cologne's most prominent locations. By retaining the basement levels, the aim is to handle the historical building fabric in the surrounding area sensitively and achieve significant savings in embodied energy, which demonstrates the company's sustainable orientation.
Advising Parties to the Transaction
During the acquisition process, May&Co was advised on legal matters by Arnecke Sibeth Dabelstein. Technical advice was provided by Novia Consulting GmbH. The seller was advised by JLL during the transaction, which also brokered the sale. Legal representation for the seller was handled by the law firm Loschelder.
