International real estate consultancy Cushman & Wakefield (C&W) has brokered the sale of the former US consulate in Hamburg, also known as the “Little White House on the Alster”. The seller of the property, the government of the United States of America, was exclusively advised by C&W. The buyer of the unique ensemble of two connected former villas and an extension, located in the Rotherbaum district is Derag (Deutsche Realbesitz Unternehmensgruppe) based in Munich, whose portfolio includes the Living Hotels chain. The new owner plans to convert the vacant property into a boutique hotel.
The listed property is located at Alsterufer 27, 28 (former villas) / Warburgstrasse 44 (extension) directly on the shore of Outer Alster lake and offers an unobstructed view across the waterfront. The Rotherbaum district is one of Hamburg’s most sought-after residential areas and a popular business location.
Built in 1882 and 1883 to the plans of prominent Hamburg architect Martin Haller (who also designed Hamburg’s City Hall, among other things), the facades of the villas visible from the Alster were remodelled after the acquisition by the US government in 1950 to echo the appearance of the White House in Washington D.C. The building housed the U.S. consulate for over 70 years until its move to HafenCity in 2022. The site area is 3,461 sq m and the gross floor area is around 5,000 sq m.
Niklas Hensiek, the member of the Capital Markets team at C&W who was in charge of the transaction, said: “It was an honour to be entrusted with the sale of such a historic and unique property. We are pleased that the seller is highly satisfied with the result. Derag will incorporate the history of the building and its connection to the U.S. into its hotel concept, aspects which were very important to the seller.”
The “Little White House on the Alster” is 800 metres from Hamburg Dammtor railway station. It is therefore excellently served by both local and long-distance public transport and amenities in the immediate vicinity include numerous retail stores and restaurants - both south of the property in the city centre and to the north, on the Alster waterfront, as well as in the adjacent side streets.
