Hamburg, February 18 – The municipal housing company SAGA plans to demolish an entire residential area in Billstedt and replace it with new buildings. Currently, residents live affordably in multi-family and terraced houses built by SAGA in the late 1950s, directly at the Merkenstraße U-Bahn station.
Aging Infrastructure Prompts SAGA’s Decision
The main issue is that the nearly 180 apartments in the quarter are showing their age. They suffer from poor energy efficiency, insufficient accessibility, and outdated floor plans. Instead of modernization, SAGA is now planning demolition and new construction.
According to SAGA, the new development, scheduled to begin in 2029, will result in almost double the number of apartments, spread across four to eight floors. Additionally, a neighborhood garage with 100 parking spaces is planned for residents.
Tenant Protections and Future Rents
SAGA has stated that current tenants will be offered interim housing solutions and a right to return to the new properties. However, the future rents have not yet been determined. SAGA indicated that these would align with typical rents for subsidized housing.
Context of Hamburg’s Housing Market
This initiative comes amidst broader developments in Hamburg’s housing market. The city is continually addressing issues related to housing availability and modernization. The decision to opt for demolition and new construction over renovation highlights the challenges faced with older housing stock.
The project in Billstedt is expected to significantly change the urban landscape of the area, providing more modern and energy-efficient housing options for residents, while also increasing housing density.
Source: https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/hamburg/saga-will-wohnungen-in-billstedt-abreissen-und-durch-neubauten-ersetzen,kurzehh-2462.html
