Buchholzer Grün in Hanover: Residents like to live in the new development area
One of the largest new development areas in Hanover is almost complete – and most of the residents have now also moved into Buchholzer Grün. How is life in the brick settlement between Podbielskistrasse and the Mittelland Canal? “Great!” says Nicole Gerhardy, beaming while she is walking around the neighborhood with her one-and-a-half-year-old son.
Living in Buchholzer Grün: Families feel at home
Of course: It would be nice if the construction fences around the children’s playground there finally disappeared, which have been there for about three months, although the playground equipment, paths and open spaces look long since finished. “But I don’t want it to come across as criticism – we really feel very comfortable here,” says the young mother. And apparently speaks to many of their new neighbors from the heart.
In 2014, the Klinikum Oststadt closed on the 70,000 square meter site, actually the nucleus of the MHH from the 1960s. The dilapidated large hospital was used to accommodate refugees until 2017 and was demolished in 2018. 400 apartments for more than 1000 people have been created – a tour de force of housing policy in Hanover.
Jogging and cycling along the Mittelland Canal
New resident Nicole Gerhardy appreciates the centrality and the proximity to Oststadt. The family used to live in an apartment there. “Almost all of our neighbors come from Oststadt or List,” she says. The Podbi is not comparable to the Lister Mile. Instead of trendy cafes and wine bars, there is a Steinecke bakery in the district. “But you can go jogging and cycling on the Mittelland Canal,” says the young mother. And “the mile” is not far away either.
The Gerhardys, the couple works at Conti and the VHV, are among the early residents – and above all among the early buyers. You have bought one of the townhouses in the area. Three floors, 140 square meters, the family now has space. “But we bought it back in 2019 – that was our luck,” says Nicole Gerhardy. At the current prices, “we probably couldn’t have afforded a property here – or didn’t want to”.
Townhouses for 689,000 euros
In fact, word has gotten around that Weber Massivhaus still has three terraced townhouses on offer for just under 700,000 euros. With 110 square meters of living space, that’s more than 6000 euros purchase price per square meter. A proud sum, but no longer a rarity in Hanover. The demand seems to be there: Up to ten interested parties lead them through the houses on viewing days, says Weber employee Helene Paulauskas.
Of course, real estate at these sums didn’t go away in a matter of days, Paulauskas says. “Last year we had six semi-detached houses in Bemeroder Anger for similar prices – it takes six to nine months for them to be sold.” She is also confident in Buchholzer Grün. A mother from Isernhagen-Süd has just arrived who is considering buying one of the houses for her adult daughter.
“Chic, central and quiet”
However, the majority of the apartments in the quarter are rental apartments. Leah Gerlach and Azdi Begari just moved in a month ago. “It has become a great residential area,” enthuses the young couple: “It looks chic, is centrally located and is still quiet.” Both moved to Hanover from Saxony-Anhalt. 21-year-old Begari has set up his own business as a financial advisor, while 19-year-old Gerlach works as a model. Her apartment may not be cheap, but it has a beautiful terrace, a modern bathroom and, at 70 square meters, there is enough space for both.
A quarter of the Buchholzer-Grün apartments are greatly reduced in price for people with no or low income – this is what the city stipulated when the development plan was drawn up. Because the housing subsidy does not fully compensate for the cost reduction, all non-subsidized apartments are slightly more expensive. The average is said to be around 13 euros cold rent per square meter in the quarter.
90 square meters for 1200 euros – cold
That is difficult to earn for a normal earner family. 90 square meters quickly cost 1200 euros cold rent, plus heating and other ancillary costs. However, the demand seems to be there: almost all apartments have been taken. The Spar- und Bauverein recently had ten apartments available in the district because they didn’t want to do mass viewings. But the ten apartments face a waiting list of 400 interested parties.
However, Buchholzer Grün is not only popular as a residential area, but also as a walking area. Several couples stroll through the streets on this sunny Sunday. “It really doesn’t look bad,” says Uwe Kösel, who is strolling with his wife Rita between the rows of red brick houses. The two have lived for three years in the new housing estate Am Listholze, also on the canal, but a little further west. They don’t want to move away – but at least see how the neighborhood develops. And they are full of praise.
Green strips between rows of houses
Small strips of green structure the rows of houses, and trees have been recently planted. Amenities include sunken garbage chutes so there are no clumsy containers lining the trails. Rainwater is allowed to seep into hollows, underground garages hide the cars, and an office block shields the busy Podbi from where Strabag, Gasunie, tax consultants and other businesses live.
Meanwhile, the cranes are still turning on two sides of the Buchholzer Grün. In the west, bordering on Pasteuralallee, six more apartment buildings are being built under the name Louis’ Grün with condominiums at prices between 180,000 and 510,000 euros. And on the east side, the municipal housing company Hanova is currently building 160 apartments, which officially do not belong to Buchholzer Grün, but to the neighboring area In den Sieben Stücken.
Chapel as a jewel
And in the midst of all the modern real estate, a gem has been preserved: the old chapel of the hospital. A citizens’ initiative consisting of committed neighbors has been waiting for years of urging before the impending demolition. The house is currently being renovated and will soon be able to be used for concerts and exhibitions.
By Conrad von Meding