Andersia Tower announced as the ‘Best Hotel Development Project 2008’!

We have a pleasure to inform that during CEPIF Fairs Von der Heyden Group’s project – ‘Andersia Tower‘ was awarded ‘CEE Best Project Awards 2008’ in a category ‘Best Hotel Project 2008’.

The competition ‘CEE Best Project Awards’ is organized by CEPIF & International Herald Tribune and is dedicated to developers active in the entire Central and Eastern Europe region. The Best Projects are chosen in seven different categories: office, retail, warehouse, hotel, residential, revitalisation and mixed-use project. Von der Heyden Group was nominated and then short-listed for the ‘AndersiaTower‘ development in two categories: hotel and mixed-use project.

The voting process for ‘CEE Best Project Awards 2008’ took part is two stages: on-line voting – during which short list was chosen and the final voting during the CEPIF Fairs. The winners in each category were announced at the CEPIF Gala Party on May 14, 2008.

 

Andersia Tower – the winner of “Construction Oscar 2007”!

Von der Heyden Development, the service consultancy arm of Von der Heyden Group (VDHG) is pleased to announce that Von der Heyden Group has received for its Andersia Tower mixed-use development project the First Prize in the most prestigious construction Contest in Poland “Budowa Roku 2007” (“Building of the Year 2007) organized by the Polish Association of Civil Engineers and Construction Technicians (PZITB), the Ministry of Infrastructure and the General Office of Building Control (GUNB).

The independent and highly qualified Jury examined all buildings for the whole year to prepare a short list and finally choose the winners of the “Construction Oscars” out of the whole Poland. Among nine categories including: office, public use, residential, industrial, warehouse, revitalization, retail, railway and road constructions, and a final list of 49 buildings, Andersia Tower took the First Prize in the “Public Use Buildings” Category. The Awards’ Ceremony took place on June 2, 2008 at the headquarters of the Polish Federation of Engineering Associations (NOT) in Warsaw.

Except from the above, Von der Heyden Group’s Andersia Tower has recently received another prestigious Award in the whole Central and Eastern Europe region: “The Best Hotel Project 2008” in acompetition organized by the CEPIF (Central Eastern European Property and Investment Fair) and International Herald Tribune. The best development projects were chosen in 7 different categories: office, retail, warehouse, hotel, residential, revitalization and mixed-use. The voting process took part in 2 stages: on-line voting by real estate market participants who decided on the short list and finally during the CEPIF Fairs. The winners in each category were announced at the CEPIF Gala Party on May 14, 2008 in Warsaw.

“Winning “Budowa Roku 2007” award for our project Andersia Tower in Poznan is certainly another highlight in our long history and presence in Poland. We are very proud of this distinction as it’s based on the probably most unbiased jury and selection process in the entire country. I am sure that this will support also the long term commercial success of both the Office component which is fully let as well as the Hotel which is successfully run by Ibb Hotels” – said Mr Sven von der Heyden, Chairman of Von der Heyden Group.

Mr Adam Trybusz, Managing Director for Poznan of Von der Heyden Group said: “It’s a special award and we appreciate it very much! The jury was utmost scrupulous and diligent and the moment of granting the award by the Head of the General Office and Building Control must make an impression on everybody. Another exam for us and by no means less important is to be confirmed by the real estate market participants and that is CEPIF Award: “The Best Hotel Project 2008″. What’s more to add having been verified by professionals and the market?”

Andersia Tower (sold in 2008 to DEKA Immobilien for more than Euro 80 mln. with a total development area 42.668 sqm) was a Joint Venture between Von der Heyden Group (VDHG) and the City of Poznań, located in the heart of Poznan, Poland. It perfectly blends into the environment with the 1st phase of the Anders Square development, Poznan Financial Centre (“Intelligent Building 2001″Award, developed by VDHG as well) but also with the neighboring Stary Browar Development. After PFC, Andersia Tower is again a perfect proof that private & public partnership can work well.

Andersia Tower is the tallest building in Poznań (102,1m) and the first mixed-use development with both hotel (4 star de-luxe, located on the first 9 floors of AT) and office functions (class A, upper levels). The turn-key developer’s product was practically fully leased up while still under construction.

The office part is today 100% let and houses prestigious tenants such as: Franklin Templeton Investments Poland, Ernst & Young, IKB Leasing, Pannatoni Development. The hotel part makes the high-class 4-star hotel with 171 rooms, suits with an executive floor, presidential suite, retail outlets, restaurants, extensive conference centre and bankquet & ball rooms for up to 800 people, swimming pool, fitness club and a steam bath. The IBB Andersia Hotel is operated by IBB Hotels that has been successfully operating, e.g. Grand Hotel Lublinianka, Poland.

As the state-of-the-art technology was applied in building construction and some solutions were used in Poland for the very first time, there is no doubt that Andersia Tower can be rated as one of the very few really intelligent buildings. It conforms to the most strict standards of intelligent facilities as well as set-up standards performed by Von der Heyden Group in its European projects.

Andersia Tower was designed applying the top quality materials, natural materials have been used (marble, wood, combination of natural stone and Venetian plaster). The hotel part is comparable with the standard of a five star hotel both in terms of finishes, amenities and size of the rooms.
It was vital for the investor to offer a unique hotel product and a particular focus was put on the interior design and high quality and comfortable hotel equipment.

Some innovative interior design solutions for the first time in Poznan and partly in Poland have been introduced.

The building complies with the sustainability idea in many ways, none of the materials used is by any means hazardous to health. Building Management System guarantees energy saving management of the building and quick intervention in case of malfunctions or emergency. The building has no boiler room, so there is no air pollution. The swimming pool technology is based on electrolysis of salt. This materially improves the environmental aspect and both hotel and SPA guests are not bothered with chlorine substances and unpleasant smell.

Architect: Pracownia Architektoniczna Ewy i Stanisława Sipińskich Sp. z o.o.

General Contractor: HOCHTIEF Polska Sp. z o.o., “zero stage” performed by Warbud S.A.

Hotel Interior design: PRC Architekci Sp. z o.o.

Project Manager: Grupa Inwestycyjna Probuild Sp. z o.o.

Andersia Tower – the winner of Construction Oscar 2007

Von der Heyden Group acquires further shares in IBB Hotels!

It is a great pleasure of IBB Hotels and Von der Heyden Group to jointly announce that Von der Heyden Group has become through an additional purchase of shares the 70% majority shareholder in IBB Hotels, a Spanish origin hotel chain that has been successfully operating on the Spanish, Polish and German markets.

In 2001 Von der Heyden Group, a pan-European investor and developer acquired 25,5% of the shares in IBB Hotels, followed by an increase to 40% in 2005, to 50% in 2007 and now to 70% in 2008.

IBB Hotels was founded in 1992 by Damian Llull in Menorca, entered the Polish market in 2002 as the first Spanish hotel chain in Poland. IBB Hotels commenced its operations in one of the most beautiful heritage buildings in Lublin, the four star de-luxe Grand Hotel Lublinianka.

The common values shared by the developer and the hotel operator such as top quality individual approach and care for detail allow for an excellent teamwork between the two companies. A strategic plan for the future has been developed to increase the portfolio in Spain, Poland and Germany by opening in each of those countries one new hotel per year. At the same time, IBB Hotels will look for new destinations including in Asia. To support the plan a new corporate image has been created for IBB Hotels Brand.

Sven von der Heyden, Chairman of Von der Heyden Group, said: “We have always felt a particular love for Hotel business and for the IBB Brand as such. Given the strengthening our capital base of the company, IBB is now able to grow to a different category Hotel Operator. IBB’s strength is a human and professional approach in doing business with Hotel Owners, our care for detail and our hands-on cost management. The stronger link between the two firms will shorten even more communication lines and increase efficiencies within the group.”

Angel Llull, Managing Director of IBB Hotels in Poland and Germany, said: “Von der Heyden Group entered IBB company a few years ago buying part of the shares. That was a very important step as it created good synergies and opened new markets. Now with the increase of the participation in the company, it will allow to develop the company faster, better and quicker. It is very important for IBB Hotels to have the support and knowledge of Von der Heyden Group in order to achieve the future goals.”

Only recently in July 2008, IBB Hotels has expanded in Germany and opened a second four star hotel in the heart of the Bavarian three-river city Passau, in front of the main station and only a few steps from the historical Old Town.

IBB Hotels:

The IBB Hotels Group was founded in 1992 by Damian Llull with the purchase of 20 apartments in one of the bays in Menorca, the present location of the headquarters of the company. In 2001, Von der Heyden Group purchased 25,5% shares in IBB Hotels and by the continuous acquisition of shares became the main shareholder in the following years. This has allowed IBB Hotels to enter the Polish market in 2002 where the Von der Heyden Group has already had a well-established position as a real estate developer and investor. Through the opening of IBB Grand Hotel Lublinianka in Lublin, IBB Hotels was the first Spanish hotel chain operating in Poland.

Today, with around 12 hotels and projects in Germany, Spain and Poland, the company develops an ambitious expansion plan for the pan-European market and not only.

In Poland, besides the existing IBB Grand Hotel Lublinianka in Lublin and IBB Andersia Hotel in Poznan, the IBB Hotel Gdansk on the prominent Dlugi Targ is in the pipeline. In Spain, the company is involved in the development of golf hotel projects and SPA Hotels. The focus is on a 4-star de luxe standard, centrally located and the acquisition is not excluded, something rare in the industry.

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Von der Heyden Group acquires further shares in IBB Hotels

Von der Heyden Group invests in Valadis Systems

We are pleased to announce that Von der Heyden Group has invested in Valadis Systems, a B2B highly advanced and personalized Internet technological platform and a booking system dedicated to worldwide tourism business with more than 40.000 Hotels under contract. Von der Heyden Group has acquired during 2008, 30,4 % of the shares in Valadis and became the company’s largest shareholder.

Sven von der Heyden, Chairman of Von der Heyden Group, said: “I am thrilled to have entered with our group into a new venture. Given the recent turmoils on the financial markets and weakening real estate markets we decided to continue extending our investments into another business with great potential and future. We actively support Valadis to reach its ambitious goal of Euro 100 mln. revenue in 2009. Valadis’ team is highly skilled and motivated, which is the basis for any successful business”. He further mentioned “We are blessed to have disposed 2 major real estate assets during the last 18 months which enables Von der Heyden Group to diversify into other industries and at the same time be prepared for smart deals in Real Estate what we know best”.

Valadis is developing a continuous innovation effort. Antonio Peña, CEO of Valadis, announced the launching of Valadis Manager an Open Source travel solution based on SaaS (Software as a Service) model, targeting wholesalers, incoming agencies and travel agencies’ groups after a large R&D&I investment. Antonio Peña: “I’m convinced that Valadis Manager will dramatically improve the distribution capacity and strategy of our Clients with a flaexible business model. With Von der Heyden Group’s financial support and approach to business, Valadis will be able to achieve all its goals and become a key player in this industry”.

Valadis:

Valadis is a Spanish origin B2B on-line wholesaler of high quality products specializing in commercial distribution and marketing within the global tourism industry.

The main pillars of Valadis’ business model are:

  • intensive use of the most advanced technology at the market and focus on R+D+I to provide top tailor made service
  • experienced and highly professional staff made up of engineers specialized in tourism technology, tourism experts and marketing experts
  • commitment to efficient and result-oriented management
  • unbeatable foothold in the European sales channel soon to expand to the American and Asian markets. India and Latin America about to be opened in 2008.

A complete system made up of a back-office and business intelligence tools offer total control over B2B and B2C platforms’ transactions.

Valadis thanks to it’s highly advanced booking technology enables clients such as Travel Agents, Hotels, Air Ticket Wholesalers to make at record speed on-line bookings in more than 40.000 hotels throughout the world, quote groups on-line, make complex MICE bookings, book airline tickets, book circuits transfers and excursions and access to a special platform aimed at out-bond wholesalers. What is needed is only an internet connection. Valadis co-operates very closely with Versys Travel. Valadis’ hotel clients are distributed through Versys Travel’s channels with no charge increasing the selling potential to more than 15,000 travel agencies throughout the world.

Valadis and Versystravel with the headquarters in Palma de Mallorca employ 55 highly professional staff: engineers and marketing specialists.

It is planned to potentially float the Valadis company on the stock exchange by 2010.

For further information about Valadis Systems, please contact:

Antonio Peña, Managing Director

Valadis/Versystravel

[email protected]

Visit Valadis on net: www.valadis.com, www.versystravel.com

 

Von der Heyden Group sponsors the “Chair of Two Decades” Award in Warsaw, Poland.

For 19 years, “The Warsaw Voice” weekly has been granting the annual “Chair of the Year” Award to people, institutions, objects or even phenomena that have had a special influence on Poland. The statuette shows a movie director who has the ability to create and influence the world.

This year on February 26, 2009, a special “Chair of Two Decades” has been granted to Lech Wałęsa and Leszek Balcerowicz.

The Winners of “Chair of the Year” Award granted in previous years were: Donald Tusk, Polish economy, Rafał Blechacz, Marek Belka, Jerzy Hausner, Danuta Hübner, Adam Małysz, Aleksander Kwaśniewski, Bronisław Geremek, Jerzy Buzek, Tadeusz Mazowiecki, the passenger car, Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz, Warsaw Stock Exchange, Hanna Suchocka, Jan Krzysztof Bielecki, Leszek Balcerowicz, Lech Wałęsa.

Architects’ competition finalized for “Bogenhausener Tor” project in Munich!

Von der Heyden Group together with Bayern Projekt GmbH are pleased to announce that after a very exciting and long lasting procedure the architectural tender has been finished at the end of February in Munich. Von der Heyden Group, through its subsidiary Bogenhausener Tor Immobilien GmbH “BTI” invited along with two other property owners adjacent to BTI’s site, namely Zurich Insurance Company and the City of Munich, 12 internationally recognized architecture companies to participate. It is an honor to communicate that the winner of the competition is the Spanish Architect firm Nieto Sobejano Arquitectos, Madrid. Nieto Sobejano convinced a very diligent Jury of 21 professional judges under the chair of Mrs. Prof. Lauber and in attendance of the Mayor of Munich Mr. Christian Ude, thanks to the invaluable contribution of further 27 professional consultants from the Real Estate, Construction and Legal industry. The whole competition, managed by Bayern Projekt GmbH can be called a true success.

Shortly after the Jury’s decision, Sven von der Heyden, Von der Heyden Group’s Chairman said: “It is for me a great satisfaction that we have made a major leap towards a successful development in my home town Munich. We are extremely thankful to the representatives of the City Authorities of Munich, the entire team of Bayern Projekt and our professional advisors, who have at all times been loyal business partners. Finding a political consensus on such a big scale development which on all 3 sites might reach up to 100.000 sqm of usable officehotel space was not always easy. However, it has historically always been the strength of our group to smoothly co-operate with financial institutions and local governments, finding a consensus which makes everybody happy. However, there is still a lot of work ahead of us. Last but not least, given our Pan-European presence we are proud that a Spanish Architects Firm has convinced with its conceptual design a big number of Real Estate Professionals for this project in Munich”.

Sven Renz, Managing Director of Bayern Projekt GmbH and Bogenhausener Tor Immobilien GmbH said: “After joining the project from the very beginning, the implementation of this outstanding architectual contest with a high-ranking jury was very interesting and a challenging milestone for us. I’m very happy that especially the drawings confirmed my personal initial vision of developing prominent buildings at this special location with the intention of a sustainable upgrading for the East of Munich, the entire surrounding and last but not least for the three owners. After developing this project together with our partner the von der Heyden Group and on behalf of the Zurich Group and the City of Munich, we again want to thank all three owners for their confidence in our team and for the willingness to carry out this tender in common. More than ever I’m sure that the merge of the three plots were the right postulate for the tender and finally the basis for the fantastic results of the winning architects Nieto & Sobejano from Spain. Next to that I want thank all the involved consultants, the entire jury under the chair of Mrs. Prof. Lauber, our lawyer Harald Bardenhagen and finally special thanks to our Project Manager Kai Fischer for his enthusiastic great job.”

Bogenhausener Tor Project:

In the top strategic location in Munich, on the border to Bogenhausen and Steinhausen, at the beginning of the highway A94, providing access to the Munich Fair, Von der Heyden Group has purchased 3 office buildings and a warehouse building with a total usable area of some 20.500 sqm The three pieces of real estate were purchased from two communities of heirs and the Süddeutscher Verlag GmbH (the publisher of Süddeutsche Zeitung daily) back in the end of 2006.

The investment held through the special-purpose subsidiary Bogenhausener Tor Immobilien GmbH, includes three functional well-maintained office buildings from the seventies. The space is currently let well over 80%, which includes one three-story warehouse building with rented space of 67%. The investment’s total net usable floor space is approximately 20,500 sq m, including office floor space of approximately 13,000 sq m, warehouse floor space of approximately 6,500 and parking space for nearly 180 vehicles.

Von der Heyden Group’s partner in this project for the purpose of project development and asset management is Bayern Projekt GmbH, a Munich-based real estate Developer and Investor with more than 20 years of operation experience, lead by its Managing Partner, Sven Renz, FRICS. Over the last couple of years, Bayern Projekt GmbH has acted as an incubator.

The acquired 3 plots are not only attractive as a result of merging them, but there is also a significant location-related potential and prospects of enhancement in value as a result of present developments and the presence of a number of renowned companies, which have already settled in the direct neighborhood.

Architektenwettbewerb fur das Munchner Projekt Bogenhausener Torabgeschlossen

Bogenhausener Tor

IBB Andersia Hotel and IBB Grand Hotel Lublinianka win Expedia Awards 2009!

It is a great pleasure of IBB Hotels and Von der Heyden Group to announce that IBB Andersia Hotel in Poznan and IBB Grand Hotel Lublinianka in Lublin have been chosen as an Expedia Insiders’ Select hotel as one of the world’s top properties!

Expedia is the world’s leading online travel company with the largest travel marketplace and unmatched global demand across 70 points of sale in more than 55 countries.

The Expedia Insiders’ Select list is an annual award recognizing the very best hotels in the world as judged by the experience of Expedia’s clients. Based on hundreds of thousands of hotel reviews submitted by Expedia’s travelers, IBB Grand Hotel Lublinianka and IBB Andersia Hotel were identified and awarded for: “consistently delivering superior services, an exceptional guest experience and notable value.”

What makes this Award even more special is that the Expedia Insiders’ Select program includes just 1% of all hotels in the world offered on Expedia.

After receiving this valuable distinction, Angel Llull, Managing Director of IBB Hotels, said: “This award motivates whole team as it is the result of the hard and tough work we have been doing in our first year of operations. We are a hotel chain with the obsession to offer the highest quality service to our guests, and recognitions like this show us that we are on the good track..”

Through continuous acquisitions of shares during the last years, Von der Heyden Group has become a majority shareholder in IBB Hotels, a Spanish origin hotel chain that has been successfully operating on the Spanish, Polish and German markets.

The common values shared by the developer and the hotel operator such as top quality individual approach and care for detail allow for an excellent teamwork between the two companies.

A strategic plan for the future has been developed to increase the portfolio in Spain, Poland and Germany by opening in each of those countries one new hotel per year. At the same time, IBB Hotels will look for new destinations including in Asia. To support the plan a new corporate image has been created for IBB Hotels Brand.

IBB Hotels:

IBB Hotels was founded in 1992 by Damian Llull in Menorca. In 2001 Von der Heyden Group purchased 25,5% shares in IBB Hotels and by further acquisition of shares became the main shareholder in the following years.

IBB Hotels entered the Polish market in 2002 where at that time, the Von der Heyden Group already had a well-established position as a real estate developer and investor. IBB Hotels commenced its operations in one of the most beautiful heritage buildings in Lublin, the four star de-luxe Grand Hotel Lublinianka and became the first Spanish hotel chain operating in Poland.

Today, with around 7 hotels and projects in Germany, Spain and Poland, the company develops an ambitious expansion plan for the pan-European market and not only.

In Poland, besides the existing IBB Grand Hotel Lublinianka in Lublin and IBB Andersia Hotel in Poznan, the IBB Hotel Gdansk on the prominent Dlugi Targ is in the pipeline. In Spain, the company is involved in the development of some projects. The focus is on a 4-star de luxe standard, centrally located and the acquisition is not excluded, something rare in the industry.

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IBB-vdHG Press Release Expedia Award-Andersia, GHL- English-15-07-09

Expedia Awards 2009

Von der Heyden Group invests in a monumental XIXth century piece of art building in the triangle of Germany, France and Switzerland

The 5 star Hotel Römerbad in Badenweiler throughout its long history traditionally known as the ‘Cultural Residence’ has been purchased by the Von der Heyden Group. It is stunningly located at the hill of the Castle Square and surrounded by 25.000 sqm owned park and forests overlooking French Vosges Mountains, Rhein intervale and the Old Town of Badenweiler in the Markgräfler Region, Germany. Basel and Mulhouse are only a 20 minutes drive away.

After the Grand Hotel Lublinianka in Lublin, the renovation project of the historic Menorquin Mansion named Cugó Gran (opening in 2010), this acquisition shows once again the Group’s enthusiasm for unique and unrepeatable buildings.

The Hotel Römerbad first opened its doors in 1825. It was owned by four  generations of Johann Jacob Joner’s family who immigrated to Badenweiler from Switzerland. Throughout the years, the building was a few times reconstructed according to a design of an eminent Swiss architect Horace Edouard Davinet and developed into an impressive 4 wing extensive premises with a roofed inner patio, concert chamber, mansard roofs, towers, balconies and an ornamental façade. Due to the Hotel’s exceptional character and inspiring atmosphere, many cultural events, exhibitions and festivals of classical and modern art and music found their home in the ‘Cultural Residence’. ‘Music Days in Römerbad’ started by Klaus Lauer in 1973 have become an annual event until today, as well as ‘Literature Forums in Römerbad’.

Von der Heyden Group have purchased the Hotel Römerbad from Mr Karl-Heinz Berkner who owned the Hotel since 2005. He once came to Badenweiler to heal his broken hand with thermal waters and together with Mrs Brigitte Leitner saved the Hotel from insolvency, after the building went into serious financial problems following the death of the Joner’s family. Between 2005-2009 thorough renovation works were conducted and reached 4 mln Euros. The Hotel Römerbad was promoted from ‘First Class Superior’ to ‘Luxury Class’.

After the transaction, Sven von der Heyden, Chairman of Von der Heyden Group said: ‘Like with any transaction, we thoroughly checked the past and the potential future of this stunning Hotel property. The due diligence took longer than normal and also financing was not an easy task, as one can imagine. But we delivered, thanks to our excellent performance in Germany both on residential and Hotel financing, and that is what counts. The Hotel enjoys very healthy room rates, has an excellent kitchen and huge potential for guests, who wish to relax, heal their pain or soul or celebrate small conferences. As owners of the property we now have to dedicate an enormous amount of time and passion and I am delighted, that IBB Hotels now operates its third Hotel in my home country Germany’.Furthermore he went on and said: ‘What is most important now is to find the right balance between treating the existing guests as ever, who enjoy the lovely service of the Hotel, and to promote the Hotel in new markets which have not yet been discovered’.

Starting from October 1, 2009, the Hotel Römerbad will be managed by the IBB Hotels, a Spanish origin hotel chain that has been now successfully operating for some 17 years on the Spanish, Polish and German markets.

Nowadays, the Hotel Römerbad offers to its guests 76 ample rooms and suites designed individually and overlooking the French Vosges Mountains, the Castle and a huge 2,5 hectare park surrounding the Hotel. Each room is furnished in the modern style and online with WLAN. What is particularly special is that the water pipes in each hotel room flow with healing thermal water from the Römerbad Thermal Spring. The new owners will carefully invest into improvements, foremost in rooms and technical installations during the coming years.

There is a well equipped wellness area in the Hotel with the Vital SPA Resort and 2 swimming pools: a large indoor one (8 x 20m) and outdoor (4,8 x 13m). Both pools are also filled with thermal waters from the Römerbad. Guests can enjoy a panorama restaurant, 3 patios: Bellevue, Schloßplatzterrasse and Terrazza Romana, country style ‘Römer Keller’ and ‘Caesar Bar’. There are 3 banquet halls and 3 conference rooms for 20 to 200 people equipped with modern conference technology. Nearby the hotel there are more than 12 golf courses for all levels.

Through its long history and tradition, the Hotel Römerbad hosted many personalities and people who influenced the history, art and literature, among others: Thomas Mann, Anton Tschechow, Friedrich Nietzsche, Willy Brandt, Johannes Rau, Andy Warhol.

Press release: VDHG invests in XIXth century piece of art building

In the very heart of Warsaw: Historic “Wilcza 22” Front Building regained its glory!

The history of the building at 22 Wilcza Street in Warsaw dates back to the XIXth century, when it was constructed according to the design of two famous Warsaw architects: Aleksander Woyde and Karol Kozlowski. The value of the neo-Romantic piece of architecture was mentioned in pre-war guidebooks admired for its graceful harmony and refined ornaments. As a result of the war and followed by the communistic housing system, the building was first destroyed and then heavily devastated.

Having acquired the building back in 2000, Von der Heyden Group in co-operation with a small community of co-owners of the front building conducted thorough renovation and after 2,5 years of meticulous renovation works, construction works have finally finished in 2009. After the Grand Hotel Lublinianka, it is another historic renovation project performed by Von der Heyden Group in Poland.

Finally now in 2009, the “jewel of pre-war Warsaw architecture” regained its style recognizable in historic richly-decorated faşade covered with traditional sand-and-lime plaster flanked by two oriels supported by four Atlases, stucco work, staircase with mannerist and neo-classical motives as well as maintained original historical elements including renovated ceramic tiles, each staircase level with different composition and decoration, passageway to the courtyard with striking decorative effect and a remarkable historic entrance gate. All renovation works have been conducted in close co-operation with the Municipal Conservator of Monuments.

Except for the renovation itself, Von der Heyden Group has constructed an additional top floor to the Wilcza 22 building that together with balconies blend harmoniously and integrate with the original historic part. Additionally, a panoramic lift that adjoined the staircase from the courtyard has been constructed.

Having finished the project, Sven von der Heyden, Chairman of Von der Heyden Group said: “Given the small scale of the development, it might sound weird, but this was probably the most meticulous and time consuming development we ever did in our more than 20 years of history. However, we are now full of enthusiasm to redevelop the courtyard of the building and also bring this part back to its pre-war glory.”

At the moment, there are 5 development-standard apartments left for sale with area ranging from 54sqm to 114sqm, each apartment has two levels and one up to three balconies. They are entirely untypical top roof apartments allowing for unrestricted creativity and imaginative approach to the interior design. There are no two repeatable apartments. Apartments in an intimate historic house in the vibrant with life very centre of Warsaw.

VDHG press release-Wilcza 22 (1)

Wilcza 22 in Warsaw short listed in ‘CEE Quality Awards 2009’!

Wilcza 22 Renovation Project in the heart of Warsaw was selected as a short listed nominee of 10 projects in the Central and Eastern Europe Quality Awards 2009 organised by the CEE Insight Forum in association with Financial Times.

Intimate residential house Wilcza 22 is accompanied by remarkable projects in a category CEE Real Estate Hotel, Leisure & Residential Development of the Year 2009 (www.ceeqa.com/shortlist).

At the moment, there are still 4 development standard apartments left for sale with area ranging from 66sqm to 114sqm, each apartment has two levels and one up to three balconies. Here you may have a closer look at Wilcza 22 in Warsaw.

Thank you All who have contributed to this success, so this “jewel of pre-war architecture” could finally regain its style.

VDHG press release Wilcza 22

Construction works of Andersia Business Centre in Poznan started!

Underground construction works of Andersia Business Centre (ABC) have just commenced. After a heavily competed tender for a General Contractor of “0” stage, Von der Heyden Group is pleased to announce Porr (Polska) S.A. as the winner! Porr is one of the leaders of the European construction market. The underground works of Andersia Business Centre (ABC) are planned to be completed in October 2010.

Andersia Business Centre (ABC) is a joint venture between Von der Heyden Group and the City of Poznan located in the very centre of Poznan. It constitutes the third phase of Anders Square development.

The first phase of Anders Square development, Poznan Financial Centre (“Intelligent Building 2001 Award”), and the second phase, Andersia Tower (“Building of the Year 2007), were also developed by Von der Heyden Group. PFC was sold to AIB Polonia Property Fund S.a.r.l. in December 2004 and Andersia Tower was sold to DEKA Immobilien in January 2008.

Sven von der Heyden, Chairman of Von der Heyden Group, said: “The crisis on the financial market has put most of our projects on hold for the last 1 ½ years or so. We are convinced that the ABC office development will be another success of the Von der Heyden Group in Poznan and that our timing of commencing construction now is just perfect.”

For the realization of ABC development project, a special purpose company, Andersia Business Centre Sp. z o.o. will be established.

Adam Trybusz, Managing Director of Andersia Property Sp. z o.o. and Von der Heyden Group in Poznan said: “Last time we started a project in Poznan with such enthusiasm was with PFC over 10 years ago. Then, our enthusiasm expressed a beginning of a great adventure. Andersia Tower was a consequent continuation. ABC already today tells the story about taking up new challenges and loyal partnership.”

Andersia Business Centre (ABC) will be a high class, 5 storey above ground, office complex located in front of the PFC and Andersia Tower Building in the very centre of Poznan, in the neighbourhood of the Old Town, Stary Browar and Poznan International Fairs. ABC will comprise of app.14.500 sqm net usable area and two underground levels with 170 parking places. The investment value is estimated at app. Euro 33 million. Financing negotiations are underway and the first phase of the underground works are secured by own funds.

The ABC building has been designed by the Architectural Studio of Ewa and Stanislaw Sipinscy who had also designed the previous two phases. Probuild Sp. z o.o. acts as the Project Manager. Knight Frank is an exclusive agent and a financial advisor.

The developer is currently in the process of discussing with a series of interested tenants in order to enter into pre-leases. Once a reasonable amount of pre-leases are in place, another tender for the above ground construction works will be organized.

The ABC complex will complete the whole area composition. It will provide a representative frontage for Krolowa Jadwiga Street in Poznan. Additionally, between PFC and Andersia Tower, a modern illuminated pedestrian passage will be created leading to an internal patio between Andersia Tower and ABC. Together with a neighbouring Stary Browar it will add even more life to this office, hotel and retail centre in Poznan.

In the future, Von der Heyden Group plans also the fourth final phase of Anders Square development, Andersia Silver. After Andersia Tower it will be the highest building in Poznan, the company has in place all necessary permits to construct up to 116m.

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Press release – Construction works of ABC in Poznan started-29-03-2010