Schönhauser Straße 19: Right of first refusal for Kreuzberg rental building fails
A tenant-led effort to purchase a Kreuzberg tenement has collapsed after multiple setbacks. The district office of Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg failed to secure 19 Schönlein Street despite a €1.4 million offer. Legal and financial hurdles ultimately derailed the plan, leaving residents disappointed.
The housing cooperative Bauverein 1872 eG initially attempted to acquire the property. However, the city-state’s Senate blocked funding, citing legal and financial concerns. Later, a municipal housing association also pulled out, deeming the project economically unviable.
The tenant initiative Schoeni19 had proposed covering renovation costs through gradual rent increases and direct loans. Their bid relied on €1.4 million from district reserves, but the Senate refused to approve the purchase. Florian Schmidt, the district councillor for urban development, later expressed regret over the missed chance to protect long-term tenants.
Berlin’s right of first refusal—a policy designed to prevent displacement—has now faced scrutiny. Despite the district’s efforts, the tool proved ineffective in this case, leaving the building’s future uncertain.
The failure to secure 19 Schönlein Street highlights ongoing challenges in Berlin’s tenant protection measures. Without Senate backing and viable funding, the district could not enforce its right of first refusal. Residents and housing advocates are now reassessing how to prevent similar outcomes in the future.
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