A new campus that is fun and fosters identity, an expanded business model, a clear focus on values, and good intentions for the new year: we spoke with Anke Tsitouras and Jens Kreiterling about these topics. The Landmarken executives also reveal what's on their shopping list for 2025.
The turn of the year was a busy one for Landmarken and the entire corporate family: moving into the new, inspiring "headquarters," signing lease agreements, and selling a property shortly before Christmas. Bring on 2025! The Landmarken family has moved: How do you feel about the new campus? What does the new office, where Landmarken and Stadtmarken have been brought together, have to offer?
Anke: We've been in the new office for a good month now, and every morning I notice how I automatically start smiling when I walk in. It already feels like home, but above all it feels like creativity, courage, good vibes, teamwork, and drive. I can't describe it any other way, but it really makes me want to go to work there every day—and I feel that everyone else does too.
Jens: It's something special and reflects our landmark philosophy one-to-one: turning an ugly duckling into a swan. And all within an economic framework! The campus is a best practice example of our approach to creating landmarks and providing an inspiring space that fosters identity, where we can develop projects that contribute to society in a creative, ambitious, and professional manner. What is already noticeable is that cooperation within the Landmarken family is being strengthened and expanded. The environment that has been created here promotes cohesion, exchange, and enjoyment of work. It reduces stress and strengthens the corporate culture. We are "doping" ourselves with the building, so to speak (laughs).
"It feels like creativity, courage, and a zest for action."
Anke Tsitouras // Member of the Board of Landmarken AG
Such an investment in the future sends a strong signal. It is also fitting that the Landmarken family continues to acquire projects. What's on the shopping list?
Jens: We want to continue to leverage our strengths in project development that contributes to society, revitalizes locations, and makes them sustainable for the future. For example, we are focusing on distressed properties or projects that we can revive as landmarks: in new construction, in the transformation of existing buildings, and in neighborhood development! We want to focus on creating living space and transforming commercial properties and locations into robust mixed-use concepts, for example. In addition, we create solutions for the public sector, such as educational properties and public infrastructure properties.
Anke: This isa call to all readers: please show us such projects. We are also happy to do this in partnerships and offer the entire professional backbone necessary for the conception and implementation of projects! This is our core business. Here, we want to continue to demonstrate that the interaction of ecological, social, and economic sustainability forms the basis of our actions and creates real landmarks. We do this in collaboration with our colleagues from the companies in the Landmarken family.
We are still faced with high costs, a reluctance on the part of banks to provide financing, and little willingness to buy on the capital market. How is Landmarken dealing with this ongoing challenge?
Anke: That's true, and it continues to concern us. However, we expect the general conditions for pricing in purchase and sale transactions to improve this year. Then business cases will become viable again. The demand for residential space is huge, and good concepts will also be successful in the battered office market.
Jens: We are broadly positioned and opportunity-driven. This means that we can quickly focus on the areas that offer the greatest opportunities. We have expanded our business model over the past four years and are now also an investor developer in the process of building our own portfolio. This makes us less dependent on the investment market. It enables us to develop and hold locations and properties that we believe have great potential but are not of interest to the highly selective group of investors driven by a value-add approach.
What are the goals for 2025, but also for the following years?
Anke: Attack ! (laughs) My hope is that the positive signs from the end of 2024 will continue and that 2025 will be a year with significantly more activity in both purchasing and sales. Our particular focus will once again be on sustainability: sustainable portfolio development, socially effective neighborhood development, and working environments that put people at the center.
Jens: We will continue to invest heavily in promoting the development of our landmark team and will continue to secure and generate liquidity. To this end, we will act even more in association and in partnerships, invest in new opportunities, and remain true to our landmark philosophy.
"We will continue to invest heavily in the promotion and development of our landmark team, as well as securing and generating liquidity."
Jens Kreiterling // Member of the Executive Board of Landmarken AG
And finally: What are your personal resolutions for the new year?
Anke: Professionally, I want to create and maintain the conditions for successful project implementation. Privately: read more. I want to read at least one book a month and do more sport – at least twice a week, or better still three times (laughs).
Jens: To focus more on project development again than I have in the past two years and to support it personally. And privately, to celebrate a big party: I'm turning 50 this year.
