Upcoming Residential District: Zanders Area
In the heart of North Rhine-Westphalia, the Zanders site in Bergisch Gladbach is undergoing a remarkable transformation. As highlighted in the Knigge Real Estate Market Report 2025, this former industrial area is being redeveloped into a modern, sustainable urban neighbourhood, known as an "urban Quartier."
This ambitious project, part of the REGIONALE 2025 initiative, aims to create a climate-friendly and resource-efficient new district. The redevelopment is the largest post-fossil conversion in North Rhine-Westphalia and is attracting interest from companies operating sustainable energy supply systems, as part of an EU-wide market exploration.
Guided tours of the area are proving popular, demonstrating the public's engagement with the project. Regional and state officials, including NRW Minister Ina Scharrenbach, are actively supporting the project, providing initial funding for the site’s development under state urban development programs.
The redevelopment is not just about creating a resilient, environmentally-conscious urban space. It is also part of a broader regional cultural and architectural dialogue, integrating climate-friendly building methods and material recycling initiatives. Workshops and exhibitions associated with the REGIONALE 2025 have showcased these initiatives.
Knigge Real Estate Market Report 2025 also sheds light on regional craftsmanship and the importance of preserving and modernizing old buildings. The report features an interview with Oliver Brügge, managing director of Zanders Development GmbH, who shares exclusive plans for the former industrial area.
Montag & Rappenhöner GmbH, another focus of the report, presents efficient heating and energy solutions for a climate-friendly future, with a focus on modern energy management. Their approaches consider the current KfW funding models.
The Knigge office building in Bergisch Gladbach underwent a comprehensive renovation in 2024, making it an optical showcase and updating it in terms of energy efficiency. Knigge Immobilien, established in Bergisch Gladbach, offers a combination of large company service and family business personality, with 17 employees and its own real estate portal, immobilien.gl.
The retail store in Refrath, operated by Reitz Lebensräume, has been welcoming and advising customers in a family atmosphere for over 30 years. The transformation of the Zanders site is seen as a key project that will have supraregional impact and strengthen the Bergisch Gladbach location in the long term.
The Knigge Real Estate Market Report 2025 is now available at Knigge Real Estate, Laurentiusstraße 98, and can be downloaded from the Knigge Real Estate website. Oliver Knigge demonstrates in the report how old buildings can be preserved and modernized at the same time, a topic that is particularly relevant in times of climate goals and housing shortages. The report also features a journey into the family business, showcasing how high-quality materials and individual style can transform a home into a true living experience.
In summary, the Zanders site development is a comprehensive, multi-phased urban renewal aimed at creating a sustainable living and working district while respecting ecological and energy-related innovations. The Knigge Real Estate Market Report 2025 provides valuable insights into this transformation and the broader development of Bergisch Gladbach, highlighting trends in housing, working, and building for the future.
Investors looking for sustainable real-estate opportunities may find the redevelopment of the Zanders site in Bergisch Gladbach compelling, as it showcases modern, climate-friendly building methods and materials. Meanwhile, the Knigge Real Estate Market Report 2025, which delves into the future development of the region, offers insights into the preservation and modernization of old buildings, a topic particularly relevant for meeting climate goals and addressing housing shortages.
