Real Estate Magazine

Classical beauty has good friends: As part of the Bruges Summer School, RALF SCHMITZ and La Table Ronde de l’Architecture promote young architectural talents from all over the world.

What makes a work of art an original? How does its uniqueness determine its value? And where do the boundaries of originality blur? At SALON SCHMITZ, art historian Hubertus Butin and guests led lively discussions in the penthouse of ALEXANDER-Berlin.

Building culture for almost 160 years: The family firm RALF SCHMITZ stands for the development of outstanding buildings in the country’s metropolises. However, its headquarters remains a small town on the Lower Rhine: In Kempen, the origins and foundations of the company are visible everywhere. On the occasion of Ralf Schmitz’s 70th birthday, we take a look at the history and special relationship of the fami-ly to its place of origin and growth.

Japan Day at RALF SCHMITZ: The family business welcomed its customers in Düsseldorf to a special evening among friends – a complete success.

Available now: EXCEPTIONAL HOMES Vol. 2. In this magnificent book, published by Hatje Cantz, presents a selection of those fascinating residential properties that have been built at exclusive addresses in Germany in recent years – showing great architecture to noble interiors.

Classic architecture, exquisite interior design and a sought-after location – luxury apartments and townhouses feature an impressive, all-round harmonious look and feel. However, the purchase of a luxury property requires thorough planning; after all, those who know what to look for when choosing the right property enjoy twice the luxury: Not only do they benefit from the exceptional living comfort of their new home, they can also rely on the certainty of having invested in a property that will reliably increase in value in the years and decades to come.

Even in the construction industry there has always been disagreement about what services a professional project developer can and should provide. This is certainly due, at least in part, to the fact that the profession of project developer is not protected in Germany and consequently experts from the fields of business administration and architecture with varying professional profiles are active in this area. On the other hand, however, the schools of thought represented in the architecture sector and the construction industry also have different priorities.

Whether it be making an expressive contrast or creating a harmonious setting, modern garden design is as multifaceted as the architecture that surrounds it. However, when the green spaces are not only exquisite in their own right, but are also equal to the property to which they belong in terms of both aesthetics and functionality, they achieve a level of attention to detail that makes all the difference between a stylish residential unit and a true luxury property.

In the heart of the city and on the pulse of life itself: A townhouse is not just a private retreat, but is also a place for socialising. With spacious rooms and a clearly structured interior, it provides a stylish and comfortable setting for a variety of occasions and events, from elegant dinners to family celebrations.

A high-quality residential property is not only an investment with stable value, it also allows owners to leave something to the next generation that will last and which the beneficiaries can ideally even take over at full value. This is because, under the right conditions, not only can real estate in Germany be inherited tax-free, it can also be subsequently sold on tax-free.

Natural stone or parquet flooring? A roof terrace or a garden? A cosy open fire or a 360° panoramic view? In terms of what constitutes a specifically luxury apartment, the following applies: De gustibus non est disputandum – ‘There’s no accounting for taste’; after all, what provides the greatest pleasure is, as we all know, a highly personal question. But the one thing that all luxury apartments have in common is the extraordinary lifestyle that they provide.

A property is a long-term investment. So it’s all the more important that buyers feel well advised. Rather than buying directly from a developer, therefore, some prospective owners prefer to work with a professional real estate agent who can take them through the entire selling process, from choosing the property to completing the purchase agreement.

Anyone considering investing in real estate does not necessarily have to purchase a house or an apartment. If investment is defined as the ‘long-term commitment of financial resources into tangible or intangible assets’, we can safely conclude that any form of investment that commits capital into property may be considered a real estate investment.

Nothing enhances a property like a penthouse – and there’s no more coveted residential unit than the luxury apartment on the top floor. For good reason too: a penthouse combines maximum comfort and privacy with unobstructed panoramic views to create an extraordinary feel-good ambience.

Among the apartments and villas in prime locations, many German portfolios also include so-called ‘Liegenschaften’. But what distinguishes ‘Liegenschaften’ from other luxury properties? On the one hand, their spaciousness – on the other, a particularly high standard of location and quality.

Whether it’s their own home or an investment property, a detached house or an apartment, more and more owners in Germany are entrusting their construction to an experienced property developer. But what does this decision really mean? What makes working with a property developer special?