STRABAG, ZÜBLIN Break Ground on Residential Project in Schleswig-Holstein
The town of Itzehoe in Schleswig-Holstein marked the beginning of an ambitious and forward-thinking residential construction project yesterday, as STRABAG Hold Estate, in partnership with Ed. Züblin AG Direktion Nord, officially launched their first proprietary residential development. The project is being realized using ZÜBLIN’s groundbreaking “CONCEPT” serial residential construction product — a solution built on the principles of standardized planning, safe decision-making, and efficient serial construction. This milestone represents more than just the start of a building project — it signals a shift toward smarter, more sustainable, and socially responsible housing initiatives in Northern Germany.
A New Chapter for Itzehoe’s Urban Development
The residential complex is being constructed on Emil-von-Behring-Straße, a previously underutilized site in the heart of Itzehoe. The transformation of this open space into a modern housing development aligns with the municipality’s vision of revitalizing the area while addressing the growing demand for affordable, high-quality living accommodations.
Ralf Hoppe, the Mayor of Itzehoe, welcomed the project enthusiastically. “As the city of Itzehoe, we are delighted that progress is finally being made on this key development site. The creation of new, affordable housing is an essential step forward,” said Hoppe. “Moreover, we are pleased to see STRABAG’s investment and long-term commitment to our city. Tackling the pressing challenges in housing requires a multifaceted approach and the involvement of committed players such as STRABAG and ZÜBLIN.”
Addressing Housing Needs Through Balanced Development
The project comprises four residential buildings containing a total of 53 apartments. Of these, 36 units (approximately 70%) are subsidized in accordance with the strict social housing guidelines established by Investitionsbank Schleswig-Holstein (IB.SH), ensuring that rents are capped and remain affordable in the long term. The remaining 17 units (30%) are low-barrier, senior-friendly apartments offered for free-market rental with financial support from Germany’s KfW development bank.
This balance between subsidized and market-rate housing units reflects a deliberate approach to social integration and inclusivity, ensuring that diverse population groups — including lower-income families and elderly residents — can benefit from high-quality urban living. The project exemplifies how thoughtful planning and financial structuring can enable the development of socially responsible housing without compromising on architectural or environmental standards.
STRABAG’s First Long-Term Residential Investment
For STRABAG Hold Estate, the Itzehoe development represents a landmark venture. “We are delighted to launch our first proprietary residential project as a long-term portfolio holder,” stated Rainer M. Schäfer, Managing Director of STRABAG Hold Estate. “This project is more than an investment—it’s a long-term commitment to the region and a demonstration of our capabilities in creating lasting, future-proof living spaces. We look forward to many more projects in Schleswig-Holstein with our trusted partner, ZÜBLIN.”
This strategic move signifies STRABAG’s deeper foray into direct real estate holdings, transitioning from a pure construction services provider to an integrated urban development partner. Their entry into property ownership in this manner allows greater control over long-term maintenance, tenant quality of life, and energy efficiency.
Building Sustainably: The “House Without a Chimney”
Perhaps the most innovative feature of the project is its dedication to sustainability. The residential complex is being built entirely free from fossil fuel-based heating systems — earning it the nickname, “the house without a chimney.” Instead of conventional gas heating, the buildings will employ advanced heat pump systems paired with modern hot water technologies, drastically reducing dependency on fossil fuels.
Robin Gellrich, Technical Division Manager at Ed. Züblin AG, Directorate North, emphasized the project’s alignment with the company’s commitment to ESG principles. “With our CONCEPT serial construction product, we aim to provide affordable, modern, and energy-efficient living spaces. This particular project—built for our own housing stock—demonstrates the strength of our approach and its potential for broader application.”
Thanks to the use of serial construction techniques and precision planning, the project will achieve a heating and hot water energy requirement that is approximately 70% lower than that of a comparable building using conventional gas-based systems. In tandem with a high-performance building envelope, the complex is designed to be nearly self-sufficient in its energy needs. Such performance is not only environmentally friendly, but it also insulates residents from the volatility of energy markets, enhancing long-term affordability.
The Role of Serial Construction: Efficiency Without Compromise
ZÜBLIN’s “CONCEPT” methodology lies at the heart of this project’s technical and economic efficiency. Based on a system of prefabricated and repeatable components, the CONCEPT model enables rapid, safe, and resource-conserving construction. Serial construction allows high-quality residential spaces to be built more swiftly than traditional methods without sacrificing design, functionality, or sustainability.
This approach also lends itself well to scalability. Once proven successful in Itzehoe, similar developments could be rolled out across other municipalities in Schleswig-Holstein or beyond, enabling regions to respond more dynamically to the pressing shortage of affordable housing. The replicability and flexibility of the CONCEPT product mean it can be tailored to different urban or suburban contexts with minimal planning delays.
Supporting Schleswig-Holstein’s Housing Policy Goals
The residential development in Itzehoe aligns seamlessly with the state government of Schleswig-Holstein’s housing policy, which emphasizes the need for more affordable and sustainable rental properties. In collaboration with IB.SH, STRABAG and ZÜBLIN are contributing directly to the state’s housing offensive, creating residential units that are accessible to a wide spectrum of the population.
“Affordable housing is one of the great social challenges of our time,” says Schäfer. “Our project addresses this head-on by combining modern design, sustainability, and cost-conscious planning. We’re proud to help set a benchmark for future developments across the state.”
As work begins on the site, the project serves as a beacon for what is possible when innovation, sustainability, and social responsibility converge. STRABAG Hold Estate and ZÜBLIN are not just constructing buildings — they are actively shaping the future of urban living in Schleswig-Holstein.
With their commitment to delivering affordable, accessible, and energy-efficient homes, the partnership between STRABAG and ZÜBLIN could play a vital role in redefining residential construction across Germany. And for the residents of Itzehoe, this project marks the beginning of a new chapter — one where high-quality housing is not a luxury, but a standard available to all.d
