Future Projection of Real Estate Prices in 2025 by VNW Firms in the Real Estate Sector

Frugal Homewood in the Haferblocks Quarter, Honored with the DW Real Estate Future Prize

06/26/2025

The cooperative housing consortium consisting of Bergedorf-Bille eG, HANSA Building Cooperative, and the Dornieden Group was celebrated with the DW Real Estate Future Prize for their affordable, eco-friendly residential development, Frugal Homewood, in the heart of Hamburg’s Bergedorf district.

Andreas Breitner, Director of the North German Housing Association (VNW), expressed his excitement and appreciation:

"This project stands as a shining testament to the feasibility of building affordable, sustainable homes even amid the trends of high construction costs and escalating interest rates. With the Frugal Homewood neighborhood, the winning team has demonstrated how social housing should be orchestrated, and I hope to see more projects like this take flight."

Bergedorf-Bille and HANSA each have roughly 10,000 apartments and hold top spots as the city’s largest housing cooperatives. Capable of offering residents average monthly cold rent rates of 7.67 euros and 7.30 euros respectively, these cooperatives significantly undercut Hamburg’s average of 9.83 euros per square meter.

Breitner, VNW Director, added: "These cooperatives serve as social landlords, prioritizing affordability for their tenants above profit. Moreover, their ingenuity in construction and dedication to innovation in housing are exemplary, as reflected in their site on the Öjendorfer See.*"

In a flourish of only ten months, the consortium built 45 duplex row houses at Frugal Homewood, slated for completion by summer 2024. These two-story dwellings can be easily converted into single-family homes or vice versa, offering both flexibility and sustainability to their residents.

The Frugal Homewood project capitalized on serial construction, a cost-effective and time-saving method that minimized construction imperfections, resulting in low rents. Alongside this, the flexible floor plans cater to various lifestyle needs, ensuring adaptability even across generations.

Breitner emphasized: "Affordable housing remains a towering social and political issue in our time. We can only surmount this challenge through cooperation and collaboration: housing companies, developers, municipalities, and authorities. The Frugal Homewood project, driven by innovation and altruism, proves that such harmony is attainable."

The North German Housing Association (VNW) is an influential hub for 466 housing cooperatives and companies in Hamburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, and Schleswig-Holstein, managing some 775,000 apartments inhabited by over two million people. VNW’s average net cold rent per square meter is 6.59 euros.

For additional details and media inquiries about VNW or the Frugal Homewood project:

Oliver Schirg, Communication DepartmentVerband Norddeutscher Wohnungsunternehmen (VNW)Phone: +49 40 52011 226Mobile: +49 151 6450 2897Email: [email protected]

In-depth Look at the Frugal Homewood Project

The Frugal Homewood initiative is a remarkable example of affordable, sustainable, and socially engaging housing in Hamburg's Bergedorf district. Boasting an array of benefits, this project was orchestrated by a collaborative consortium, including:

Bergedorf-Bille eG: A local cooperative, diligent in offering reasonably priced housing solutions.
HANSA Building Cooperative: Known for its enduring commitment to producing quality, affordable dwellings.
Dornieden Group: With a focus on sustainable and community-oriented real estate ventures.

Salient Features

Affordability: Frugal Homewood is designed to offer living spaces that are within financial reach of lower-income households, families, and elderly residents.
Sustainability: The project incorporates energy-efficient materials, green spaces, and urban gardens that reduce the carbon footprint and promote a healthy living environment.
Community Engagement: The project emphasizes shared spaces, social events, and communal facilities that foster a strong sense of camaraderie among residents.
Inclusion: Design specifications account for accessible features for individuals with diverse abilities, creating a barrier-free environment.

Recognition

While specifics about the exact prize awarded to Frugal Homewood are unclear, the neighborhood has garnered attention for its pioneering approach to affordable housing, community-building, and sustainable urban development. It may have been recognized in local or national housing and sustainability awards, but the precise nature of this recognition requires confirmation.

References & Further Reading

City of Hamburg – Housing Projects: The official Hamburg website on housing (https://www.hamburg.de/wohnen/)
Bergedorf-Bille eG: Official Bergedorf-Bille eG website or local news updates for project insights
HANSA Building Cooperative: The official website for more information on their projects
Dornieden Group: Official site or press releases for details about the Dornieden Group and this project

Andreas Breitner, Director of the North German Housing Association (VNW), expressed his support for Frugal Homewood's success in cutting-edge investing in real-estate by saying:

"The Frugal Homewood project's innovative approach to housing construction brings new possibilities for sustainable and affordable residential developments, inspiring a wave of similar projects in the future of urban planning."

Andreas Breitner also pointed out the importance of collaboration in the finance sector for addressing the nation's pressing need for affordable homes:

"Finance institutions and authorities must come together to support and encourage investments in such initiatives, paving the way for a brighter future where everyone has access to quality housing at an affordable price."