Germany
The German Real Estate market has been the main focus for Signature Capital since the company was established. Almost 70% of Signature Capital’s current portfolio is located in Germany. Our knowledge of the largest and most attractive real estate market in Europe has made it our primary choice for investment since 2004.
In that time we have established an experienced team of property professionals based at our office in Berlin and built up an excellent network of lawyers, banks, accountancy practices, property agents and property developers. Signature Capital has invested successfully in office and retail projects across Germany over the last 13 years.
We target properties in core and strong secondary locations across Germany’s top cities where Signature Capital has identified assets which provide secure income streams but which may also offer value add opportunities through re-letting and refurbishment initiatives.
Germany is one of the world´s most robust economies and offers excellent sustainable growth potential for carefully chosen and managed assets. In addition, it is seen as a safe-haven location for investment in times of uncertainty both economically and politically.
Our experience in Germany along with excellent access to deal flow makes us well positioned to identify and secure the best opportunities available in this increasingly competitive market.
German Office Market
Signature Capital has invested successfully in the German office market for the last thirteen years. We invest in pre-determined core Central Business District (CBD) locations or near prime secondary locations in Germany’s largest cities where Signature has identified Core-Plus opportunities which produce stabilised long-term income but which might also present value add opportunities.
The Berlin office market is still in catch-up mode compared with the other main German cities in terms of rent levels and product quality. Consequently, Signature has a particular focus on this market since we see it as a one where value still exists if you have the expertise to identify it and the ability to secure those assets ahead of your competitors.
Signature Capital has a very clear plan when it comes to the asset management required for our office acquisitions. While each property is different, we know what it is our clients demand and how to deliver it. We strive to provide the most attractive and efficient work spaces which will fulfil the needs of all of our tenants and assist them in retaining staff. For example, we recently secured the BREEAM-in-use certificate for Curve, which is now the greenest building in Berlin according to this standard.
German Retail Market
Signature has established itself as one of the main investors in the German retail property market over the last ten years with the acquisition of such landmark properties as the Neumarkt Galerie in Cologne, Bahnhofplatz in Munich and the Zeil Galerie in Frankfurt as well as the development of new retail offerings in Wuppertal and Hamburg-Billstedt.
To date, Signature Capital has acquired German retail assets with a current value in excess of €0.75 billion and has experience in all aspects of the sector from development, to repositioning, to targeted asset management.
Our reputation in the German retail market is noteworthy having partnered with Primark on implementing three of their largest retail stores in Germany including their flagship store in Cologne.
Our exceptional team and close contacts with banks, funds and property agents allows us to source attractive off-market Core-Plus retail opportunities across Germany’s largest cities.
We know how to present our retail offerings in the best way possible in order to attract those consumers we are targeting to leave their computers and on-line shopping at home and come into our stores and through our shopping centres.
German Residential Market
In 2006 Signature assembled a large Berlin property portfolio consisting of 29 carefully chosen multi-tenanted residential properties made up of more than 800 apartments located primarily in the western part of the city. The last 5 years has seen values in the Berlin residential market increase significantly. To take advantage of this uplift in value, we recently disposed of our residential portfolio over a period of one year.