Monday, 26 October 2026
HPF Real Estate gGmbH, a charitable subsidiary of the Hasso Plattner Foundation, has acquired an approximately 11,000 sqm property in Potsdam, Germany, with plans to develop student accommodation while preserving several historic buildings. The site, located on Behlertstraße, was purchased from a European real estate investment manager through a privately negotiated transaction arranged by Sonar Real Estate. The parties have not disclosed the purchase price.
The property currently comprises a parking area and several protected former carriage buildings with a combined gross floor area of approximately 4,000 sqm. Before the sale, Sonar’s development team had examined the site’s potential for residential use. The new owner intends to introduce student housing while restoring the existing structures, although the final design, number of accommodation units and overall investment budget have not yet been announced.
The proposed residence could be operated by Studierendenwerk West: Brandenburg, subject to approval from the organisation’s governing bodies. The development would transform land currently used primarily for parking into accommodation serving Potsdam’s student population. The inclusion of protected buildings will require the project to address heritage preservation requirements alongside the construction of modern residential facilities.
The acquisition reflects the potential role of charitable foundations in supporting residential development associated with educational institutions. Student accommodation projects can provide an alternative use for underutilised urban properties, particularly where existing buildings can be incorporated into redevelopment plans. However, the project’s contribution to local housing supply will depend on its eventual capacity, planning approvals and construction timetable, which remain unconfirmed.
Clifford Chance provided legal advice to the seller, while HPF Real Estate received technical support from Alfons & alfreda and Phase 5. Rotthege Rechtsanwälte advised the purchaser on legal matters. Further information regarding the development programme, construction commencement and expected completion date has not been released.
