Start of construction in Falkensee near Berlin: the cornerstone for the Merlin development was laid on 23 June. A total of 472 apartments will be built.
The new development comprises a total of 472 rental apartments, 145 of them for senior citizens. Around 20 percent of the rentals are subsidised. As of the current status, BUWOG is investing approximately EUR 137 million in the new construction project. The name of the Merlin development comes from an eponymous species of hawk (“Falke” in German) and therefore refers to Falkensee.
The residential buildings were designed by the Berlin-based architectural firm Stephan Höhne Gesellschaft von Architekten. The five-storey residential buildings are characterised by an attractive clinker façade with rounded edges. Premium commercial space is planned for the ground floors, as well as a senior citizens' place to gather and a space for tenants to meet. In this context, a serviced living facility has been designed in cooperation with the northwest Brandenburg location of the humanitarian organisation Johanniter-Unfall-Hilfe e.V. At the neighbourhood square there will be 145 apartments suitable for senior citizens and a meeting place where the Johanniter will offer various services and leisure activities. A residential community with 12 rooms, which will also be looked after by the Johanniter, is also planned.
Steffen Kirchner, regional director of the Johanniter in northwest Brandenburg, is also looking forward to the Merlin development: “With the 145 serviced apartments, we offer the population of Falkensee an independent form of living that is optimally tailored to their needs. Professional advice and the provision of services, a concierge and joint events in the venue for meeting complete the offer and provide optimal service for every life situation.”
A new neighbourhood square at the roundabout offers space for markets or events. A green interior courtyard in the development, attractive outdoor facilities and around 20 new trees improve biodiversity. Rainwater can drain away on site: as part of the sponge city concept, troughs are planned in which the water can return to the natural water cycle. During heavy rainfall events, a rainwater retention basin upgraded by BUWOG serves as an overflow.
Daniel Riedl, management board member of Vonovia SE responsible for BUWOG operations: “Falkensee has developed very well in recent years. Here, we’re helping advance the development of the city with new housing and creating a high level of environmental and social sustainability with the neighbourhood square, age-appropriate apartments and the green qualities of the surrounding areas.”
As part of the preparatory measures for construction, a roundabout was already completed by BUWOG in November 2020. BUWOG is currently completing the upgrade of the rainwater retention basin.
About BUWOG
BUWOG now looks back on 70 years of expertise in the residential property business and currently has a development pipeline of around 32,000 residential units. BUWOG is a subsidiary of Vonovia SE, Europe’s leading residential company, which is located in Bochum (Germany), and has an energy management system in accordance with ISO 50001.
