Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield announced that the retail component of Westfield Hamburg-Überseequartier is opening to the public starting April 8.
The opening ceremony was attended by Hamburg Mayor Peter Tschentscher along with URW’s CEO Jean-Marie Tritant, Chairman of the Supervisory Board Jacques Richier and the Group’s Management Board.
The project opens 95% let with strong interest in the remaining units. The 94k sqm retail component of the district will encompass 170 retail, dining and entertainment units in total, including more than 40 food and dining concepts.
Jean-Marie Tritant, CEO of URW stated: “We are tremendously proud to deliver the retail opening of Westfield Hamburg-Überseequartier today. This important milestone brings a new destination to the City of Hamburg, offering an exciting collection of stores, restaurants and entertainment venues in an architecturally unique setting at the heart of the city’s waterfront.
The opening also adds a new asset to the Group’s portfolio of shopping centres in the best locations in major cities, operating under the powerful Westfield brand. We look forward to delivering the next phases of the project, and would like to thank the City of Hamburg, our partners and our retailers for sharing our vision and continued commitment.”
Part of one of the largest and most ambitious urban regeneration projects in Europe, HafenCity, the programme blends a diverse retail, dining and entertainment offering with homes, offices, hotels and even a cruise ship terminal – bringing new economic, social and environmental benefits to the city of Hamburg and the local community.
Built on a former industrial site, the project is designed as an integrated district with extensive connections to the city’s public transportation network, encapsulating URW’s commitment to partner with major cities on urban regeneration projects which support their environmental transition. Linking future-oriented models for urban living with the historically developed Hamburg identity, it connects places to live and work with innovative retail concepts, as well as attractive cultural and leisure offers, all within a five-minute walk.
Curating the ultimate experience
The new district has been meticulously realised to offer visitors the most exciting experience, reflecting the finest contemporary lifestyle trends. Featuring everything from global brands to local heroes, the destination includes state-of-the art stores, such as German department store Breuninger, H&M, Mango, Thalia and one of the largest Zara flagships in Germany. National players and local champions enliven the retail offer, as do the 40+ dining options, the premium multiplex Kinopolis cinema, with the city’s first Dolby Cinema auditorium, and family-friendly attractions such as the first LEGO Discovery Centre in northern Germany and the Port des Lumières immersive art centre.
Retail, dining and entertainment areas are surrounded by elegant offices with contemporary designs, spread over multiple buildings and offering 4,000 workplaces upon full delivery. Three further buildings contain 579 residential apartments, while the district’s three hotels operated by Accor will ultimately offer over 800 rooms, all located near the brand-new cruise terminal.
A sustainable new landmark in Germany’s northern metropolis
In line with URW’s Better Places commitments, the project was designed with a clear focus on sustainability. Ninety percent of the concrete used in construction was low carbon, saving 23,800 tonnes of CO2, and the project avoids the artificialisation of around 8,000 m² of natural and agricultural land. Built on the site of a former gasworks, the development enhances local biodiversity, transforming a contaminated area with diverse flora and fauna. It is also designed to be a hub for sustainable mobility, linking two bus lines and a metro station, and offering space to park around 3,500 bicycles.
The quarter has been awarded the BREEAM Communities certificate – the first of its kind in Germany – with an “Excellent” rating, recognising the project’s significant environmental and social contributions.
Celebrating Hamburg’s new district
The inauguration kicks off a multi-week celebration that includes a series of “Discovery Days”, where visitors are invited to explore the different experiences available at Westfield Hamburg-Überseequartier, encompassing culture, arts, food, sustainability, lifestyle and technology.
Later this summer, on June 21, the centre will kick off the music festival season in Hamburg with an exclusive live concert from pop star Rita Ora.
Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield is an owner, developer and operator of sustainable, high-quality real estate assets in the most dynamic cities in Europe and the United States.
The Group operates 67 shopping centres in 11 countries, including 39 which carry the iconic Westfield brand. These centres attract over 900 million visits annually and provide a unique platform for retailers and brands to connect with consumers. URW also has a portfolio of high-quality offices, 10 convention and exhibition venues in Paris, and a €3.5 Bn development pipeline of mainly mixed-use assets. Its €50 Bn portfolio is 87% in retail, 6% in offices, 5% in convention and exhibition venues, and 2% in services (as at December 31, 2024).
URW is a committed partner to major cities on urban regeneration projects, through both mixed-use development and the retrofitting of buildings to industry-leading sustainability standards. These commitments are enhanced by the Group’s Better Places plan, which strives to make a positive environmental, social and economic impact on the cities and communities where URW operates.
URW’s stapled shares are listed on Euronext Paris (Ticker: URW), with a secondary listing in Australia through Chess Depositary Interests. The Group benefits from a BBB+ rating from Standard & Poor’s and from a Baa2 rating from Moody’s.
