Year-long legal dispute centering on the Karstadt-Areal structure
In the heart of Harburg, a long-standing vacancy at Schlossmühlendamm could potentially be a catastrophe for the city centre's development, according to local officials. The building in question is the former Karstadt property, currently embroiled in a dispute between its owner and the city of Hamburg.
The city has exercised its pre-emption right to halt the sale of the property, aiming to preserve it for the development of the Schippsee Quarter, which includes the Karstadt area. However, the owner, reportedly Klaus-Martin Schwind, has lodged an appeal against this decision.
The city has commissioned an appraiser to determine the market value of the building complex, setting a price limit based on this valuation. Yet, the owner is not willing to sell at the mentioned price, creating a stalemate.
Last year, the city and the owner were far apart in their price expectations, a gap that has yet to be bridged. The owner's reluctance to sell could potentially lead to a court case, which could block further development for several years.
Mayor Steffi Stoever has expressed concern that this issue might be overshadowed by another real estate crisis, namely the Elbtower. She believes that the site should be returned to an attractive use as soon as possible to avoid any potential negative impact on the city centre's development.
Stoever has indicated that the southern part of Hamburg, including Harburg, will be strongly advocated for in terms of development. However, she has made it clear that the Elbtower or other Benko properties are not prioritised at this time.
The aim is to develop the Schippsee Quarter, with the hope that the former Karstadt property will play a significant role in this process. Stoever has emphasised the importance of this building for the development of the Harburg city centre, and she is hopeful for a resolution that benefits all parties involved.
As the dispute continues, the future of the former Karstadt building and the Schippsee Quarter remains uncertain. The city and the owner are yet to find common ground, but the hope remains that a resolution can be reached to ensure the continued development of Harburg city centre.
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