Swiss Life Asset Managers targets Berlin’s modern office segment with 17,500 sqm acquisition

Swiss Life Asset Managers has agreed to acquire Schönhauser Allee 9, a recently completed office property in central Berlin, as part of the expansion of its European value investment strategy. The transaction is expected to close in November 2026, subject to the usual completion requirements.

The property was completed in 2025 and provides approximately 17,500 sqm of lettable space. It is already close to full occupancy, giving the incoming owner an established income stream from a relatively new building. Neither the seller nor the purchase price has been disclosed.

Schönhauser Allee 9 is situated between Berlin-Mitte, Alexanderplatz and Prenzlauer Berg. The combination of a central location, modern office accommodation and sustainability characteristics was among the factors behind Swiss Life Asset Managers’ decision to pursue the acquisition.

The investment comes as Berlin’s office market becomes increasingly divided between newer, well-located buildings and older properties facing greater leasing and capital expenditure challenges. Swiss Life Asset Managers sees continued occupier interest in modern offices with stronger environmental credentials despite more difficult conditions across the wider market.

“The ongoing flight-to-quality trend shows that modern and intelligently designed space remains in demand even in a challenging market environment,” said Jochen Worringen, Head Transaction Central Europe at Swiss Life Asset Managers. The company expects buildings combining location, contemporary workspace and sustainability performance to provide opportunities for longer-term investors.

The acquisition will expand a European strategy focused on selected properties where transaction expertise and active asset management can contribute to investment performance. Swiss Life Asset Managers manages these investments through local teams responsible for both acquisitions and the subsequent development of individual assets.

The deal also illustrates the investment case emerging around recently completed European offices. Newer buildings can offer investors exposure to properties already designed around changing occupier and sustainability requirements, while avoiding some of the immediate modernisation requirements associated with ageing office stock.

CBRE acted as broker on the transaction. Once the acquisition is completed, Schönhauser Allee 9 will add an almost fully occupied Berlin office completed only last year to Swiss Life Asset Managers’ European portfolio.