Sustainable Living Space
Interview with Roger Schwartz, Board Member of GeRo Real Estate AG
GeRo Real Estate AG is a medium-sized project developer based in Germany, specializing in the development of high-quality real estate. In a market characterized by housing shortages and rising construction costs, the company stands out for its sustainable approaches and comprehensive services. In an interview with Wirtschaftsforum, board member Roger Schwartz talks about the company's philosophy, current projects, and the challenges of the industry.
Wirtschaftsforum: Mr. Schwartz, how did you come to GeRo Real Estate AG?
Roger Schwartz: I am a trained architect and urban planner and have worked for about ten years on the planning and sales side with general contractors. After that period, I switched to the investor side and took over the management of GeRo Real Estate AG together with Sebastian Reuter two years ago. We are a medium-sized project developer and property developer who typically invests between 20 and 50 million EUR annually. Our focus is on residential properties, but we also realize commercial projects, which gives us a wide range of experience and competencies.
Wirtschaftsforum: What are the key features and strengths of GeRo Real Estate AG?
Roger Schwartz: Our strengths lie in regional networking and the ability to independently manage projects from the initial planning thought to the key handover. This way, we keep control over the entire process and work continuously on our projects with our own staff of various expertises. This distinguishes us from many competitors, who often rely on external service providers.
Wirtschaftsforum: How has the company developed over the past few years?
Roger Schwartz: GeRo Real Estate AG has been around for 24 years and has continuously evolved during this period. A significant step was the insourcing of our project management. Moreover, we have built partnerships with larger companies through intensive networking, which has allowed us to realize larger projects. An example of this is our project in Ludwigshafen, where we developed almost 950 units.
Wirtschaftsforum: Can you introduce us to some of your current projects?
Roger Schwartz: We are currently realizing 110 residential units in Speyer, of which 49 are subsidized. This exceeds the city's requirements and demonstrates our commitment to affordable housing. Additionally, we are working on a project in Oberursel with 23 residential units focusing on barrier-free, climate-friendly living. Sustainability is a central theme in our projects; we use lifecycle analyses to improve the environmental balance of our buildings.
Wirtschaftsforum: How do you deal with the challenges of the market, particularly with the housing shortage?
Roger Schwartz: The housing shortage is a problem that affects not only Germany. We need to invest more in simple, affordable projects and move away from over-technologized solutions. It is important that we return to 'Keep it simple' approaches to facilitate the creation of living spaces. Additionally, we face the challenge of 16 different state building codes, which complicate the planning and approval of projects. Another important aspect is the promotion of young talents to combat the skilled labor shortage in the long term.
Wirtschaftsforum: What role does sustainability play in your corporate philosophy?
Roger Schwartz: Sustainability is a central element of our planning. We develop not only real estate, but also usage concepts that are flexible and meet the needs of the community. We believe that economic interests and social benefits can go hand in hand. Our projects are not only supposed to generate returns but also contribute to improving the quality of life in cities. Wirtschaftsforum: How important is customer loyalty for GeRo Real Estate AG? Roger Schwartz: We aim not only to develop buildings but also to build long-term relationships with our customers. We offer comprehensive consulting services to ensure that our customers' needs are met.
Wirtschaftsforum: How do you see the future of GeRo Real Estate AG?
Roger Schwartz: We would like to increase our team size back to about 15 to 20 employees and increase the number of projects. In the long term, we plan to open new locations in Germany to extend our reach. Despite the challenges that the past years have brought, we are optimistic and see great potential in our business field.
Wirtschaftsforum: Finally, what personally drives you?
Roger Schwartz: I am a doer and a creator. It fulfills me to see how ideas become concrete projects that positively influence the cityscape and people's lives. It is a special experience to stand in a space that you previously planned, knowing that you have created something lasting. With this, we want to show how thoughtful planning and sustainable development can go hand in hand in the real estate industry.