HIH extends Solingen Town Hall lease until 2050

HIH Invest Real Estate has signed an early extension of its lease agreement with the city of Solingen for approximately 12,458 square meters in the town hall complex at Walter-Scheel-Platz 1. The new agreement secures the tenancy until the end of 2050 and includes commitments for energy efficiency upgrades and preparatory work for renewable energy installations.

The property, part of a special fund managed by HIH Invest Real Estate, comprises three buildings. Building A, which accounts for 10,786 square meters — around 70 percent of the total space — had been leased in full by the city until 2038. The new extension brings that term forward by 12 years. Additionally, the city extended its lease for 1,688 square meters of office and storage space in Building C. The remaining 2,000 square meters in Buildings B and C are occupied by retail, therapy, and office tenants. The city’s lease also covers 129 parking spaces.

As part of the lease agreement, HIH will convert the leased areas to LED lighting and carry out a full roof renovation to enable the installation of a photovoltaic system by the municipal utilities. HIH will oversee the planning and construction work required for the PV installation.

Ken Kuhnke, Head of Key Account Management at HIH Real Estate, noted that the agreement reflects ongoing dialogue with major tenants: “The municipality’s plans for LED conversion and renewable energy were incorporated into a comprehensive leasing package. By combining these measures with the lease extension, we created a long-term solution that meets the city’s needs and supports its sustainability goals.”

Frederik Lammersen, Co-Head of Fund Management at HIH Invest, highlighted the company’s proactive tenant engagement: “We aim to be a strategic partner rather than just a lease administrator. Close cooperation between asset management and fund management allows us to identify tenant requirements early and respond quickly with tailored solutions.”