Successful on a healthy basis

Despite the current challenges, HBB is again looking on a busy business year. The opening of the Westertor Lübbecke is the crowning conclusion for this year.

In the north-east of NRW, HBB has transformed the former Deerberg department store, which has been vacant for years, into a modern shopping district on two levels that fits perfectly into the town centre of Lübbecke in terms of urban development. The mix of sectors with the strong anchor tenants Marktkauf, SB Lüning and Rossmann will ensure a significant revitalisation of the town centre. The property, which was realised together with the renowned Düsseldorf architectural firm RKW+, consists of a gable-fronted building facing the pedestrian zone and other buildings that harmonise perfectly with the neighbourhood. The total area is around 7000 square metres.

NEW CENTERS IN MANAGEMENT

During the course of the year, HBB took over the management of further new centres: the NordWestZentrum in Frankfurt and the ARSENAL Wittenberg, which has just celebrated its tenth anniversary. The revitalisation of the Rathaus Galerie Essen with the opening of the new Food Mall. A milestone this year was the acquisition of the company Facility Systems. This also results in new tasks and orders for the HBB Centermanagement GmbH & Co. KG in the areas of leasing and revitalization. Furthermore, the Hamburg-based company was awarded the "Employer of the Future" seal of approval. Regional management levels were introduced in the areas of center management and leasing management and filled by two executives who have a long and successful track record at HBB. New departments were also established at headquarters. Overall, the company experienced strong growth with these new structures.

CURRENT SITUATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF ENERGY SAVING MEASURES

Of course, HBB has not been spared from the current situation either. "In particular, the increased costs in the construction sector are currently having an impact on projects in planning and construction as well as on conversions and revitalizations. Here, our team has to look for individual solutions," says Managing Director André Stromeyer. "We have to record rising costs in the current agreements with suppliers and service providers. We are therefore focusing even more on implementing energy-saving measures and cost-cutting measures in order to keep the increase in ancillary costs as low as possible."

VIKTORIA KARREE BEFORE THE OPENING

There is great anticipation for the opening of the Viktoria Karree in Bochum next year. The project is divided into three buildings, which will be built directly on Husemannplatz on the site of the former district and regional courts with a high quality of stay. The entire quarter will accommodate offices, a hotel, a fitness center, retail space and restaurants on a total of almost 37.000 square meters. An underground car park with around 500 car and 400 bicycle parking spaces will be built under the entire property, which will be connected to the city of Bochum's parking garage network. Where does the company see itself in a year? "HBB is and will continue to be in a good position because we have a healthy base and a great team and will continue consistently on our path. Next year we plan to purchase properties as HBB and in co-investment and will carry out further orders for revitalization," says Andre Stromeyer. For the new year, HBB also hopes to be able to take additional centers into management. Discussions on this are already underway. The hiring of new employees is also planned. Fixed goals include the expansion of third-party business and further digitalization as well as the ongoing implementation of ESG measures. "We naturally hope that costs will level off again - for building materials as well as for ancillary and energy costs, that inflation will ease and that the overall economic situation will stabilize."