Saturday, 22 August 2026
HIH Real Estate completed 175 lease transactions covering approximately 159,700 sqm during the first half of 2026, with renewals accounting for the majority of the volume as existing occupiers committed to properties within the company’s portfolio.
The total comprised 80 new leases covering around 40,500 sqm and 95 extensions representing approximately 119,200 sqm. Renewals therefore generated almost three quarters of the total space transacted during the period, highlighting the importance of tenant retention within HIH’s leasing activity.
In Germany, HIH completed 61 new leases covering approximately 34,500 sqm and 73 extensions totalling around 104,000 sqm. Its international portfolio contributed a further 19 new leases for approximately 6,000 sqm and 22 extensions covering around 15,200 sqm.
Offices represented 48% of the space leased within the German portfolio, followed by logistics at 29% and retail at approximately 19%. The logistics figure was heavily influenced by the largest transaction of the half year, a 40,300 sqm lease extension with Deutsche Post Immobilien at Ernst-von-Bodelschwingh-Straße in Bergkamen. Within HIH’s international portfolio, offices accounted for 57% of leased space and retail for 39%.
“The leasing performance in the first half of the year shows how important active tenant management and the quality of our existing properties are. In particular, the high number and large volume of lease extensions demonstrate that our spaces meet occupiers’ requirements over the long term,” said Frank Kindermann, Managing Director of Asset Management at HIH Real Estate.
Among the largest office transactions was Deloitte’s early extension of approximately 17,000 sqm at ZEBRA, Europaallee 91 in Frankfurt. Deloitte has been the sole occupier of the DGNB Gold-certified property since its completion in 2021 and has now committed to the location beyond 2036.
“The long-term extension of the lease with Deloitte in Frankfurt’s ZEBRA also underlines that high-quality office properties in Germany’s top locations and prime areas continue to see strong demand,” Kindermann added. “It is precisely in these locations that companies are looking for modern, ESG-compliant space that provides an attractive working environment for their employees and supports their long-term location strategies.”
Other major transactions included an 8,315 sqm extension by Zurich Insurance covering the fourth and fifth floors of SquareOne in Vienna, as well as a new lease to TotalEnergies at East Side Office in Berlin.
Across Germany’s seven largest office markets, HIH recorded 57,054 sqm of leasing during the first six months of the year. Frankfurt generated the largest volume at 19,983 sqm, followed by Berlin with 14,946 sqm. Munich accounted for 7,932 sqm and Hamburg for 7,705 sqm.
The H1 figures indicate that lease extensions remain an important component of activity within HIH’s portfolio, particularly as occupiers balance workplace requirements with the cost and complexity of relocation. At the same time, the Deloitte transaction supports the continuing concentration of demand on modern office buildings in established locations, particularly properties capable of meeting occupiers’ environmental and workplace requirements.
