The Optima-Aegidius Group, headquartered in Munich, reports a successful letting of a coach house in the Gutenberg Höfe in Berlin. The tenant is a VC-funded defence tech start-up. The company develops AI-driven software solutions for military logistics.
The property, a two-storey new-build coach house within the ensemble, will be occupied by the tenant without further conversion measures. The move-in is scheduled for mid-July this year, allowing for seamless follow-on letting. The transaction occurred directly between the parties, without the involvement of an agent. The agreed rent is just under 40 EUR per square metre.
The Gutenberg Höfe: History and Modern Use
The Gutenberg Höfe, originally a printing house, is a listed industrial loft in Berlin's Prenzlauer Berg district. Between 2020 and 2021, the property underwent extensive refurbishment and reorganisation. This included a redesign of the inner courtyards with the aim of establishing a campus character that combines a loft ambience with modern working environments. The current letting illustrates this development's capacity to provide adequate space for modern technology companies.
Trend in the Defence Sector
The presence of the defence tech start-up in the Gutenberg Höfe reflects the growing importance of the defence industry in Germany. This development is also evident in the tenant structure of the Optima-Aegidius Group. As early as 2025, ARTEC GmbH, a joint venture of KNDS Deutschland GmbH & Co.KG, Rheinmetall Landsysteme GmbH and Rheinmetall Defence Nederland B.V., leased space in the 'The MALT' property in Munich. The renewed letting to a company from the defence sector underlines a potential shift in demand for commercial properties in technology regions.
The Optima-Aegidius Group's commitment to repositioning historical industrial sites into modern commercial spaces demonstrates its expertise in revitalising existing properties. Demand for space in prime locations of urban centres by specialised technology companies remains strong, including for sectors with specific requirements such as defence technology.
