Thursday, 4 June 2026
The owners of Limbecker Platz in Essen have nearly completed the re-leasing of one of the largest vacant retail spaces in a German city-centre shopping centre following the departure of former anchor tenant Galeria Karstadt Kaufhof.
Approximately 19,000 sqm of retail space across four floors became vacant in early 2024 after Galeria terminated its lease during insolvency proceedings. In response, the owners—Union Investment, through its open-ended real estate fund UniImmo: Europa, and ECE together with the Otto family—invested around €30 million to reposition the space and adapt it to current market demand.
The redevelopment involved dividing the former department store premises into five separate retail units. According to the owners, four of the five newly created units have already been leased, with around half of the total area already reopened to customers.
Among the new tenants is fashion retailer P&C Düsseldorf, which leased approximately 6,400 sqm across two floors and opened its store in April using the company’s latest retail concept. Sporting goods retailer Intersport Voswinkel secured around 2,000 sqm on the first floor under a ten-year lease and began operations in March.
More recently, discount supermarket chain Netto and Swedish fashion retailer Lager 157 have taken over additional units within the redeveloped space.
Union Investment said the majority of the newly configured retail area has now been leased on a long-term basis, supporting stable income generation for the property. Discussions are reportedly ongoing with potential tenants from the fashion and healthcare sectors regarding the final remaining unit.
Limbecker Platz is one of Germany’s largest city-centre shopping centres, comprising more than 200 stores. The scheme was developed and is operated by ECE. Designed by Munich architect Gunter Henn, the centre is known for its distinctive metal façade, inspired by a dress worn by Marilyn Monroe and featuring illuminated decorative elements that create changing colour effects at night.
