By Julian Loevenich
David against Goliath in the Berlin district court! The start of negotiations in the Steglitzer Kreisel thriller.
The case: In October 2018, André Gaufer (57) bought an apartment in the Steglitzer Kreisel. 68 square meters, 19th floor, central location. But after several changes of ownership, the new owner, real estate giant Adler Group, presented him with contract changes: moving in in 2025 instead of 2022, no more underground parking space, no bicycle lift.
The finance clerk refuses to agree and is put under pressure. The Adler Group unilaterally declares “withdrawal from the purchase agreement”.
Gaufer defends himself, turns from a gyro victim into a gyro fighter – and filed a lawsuit. The private individual against the real estate empire: “Applicable law applies to everyone,” he says.
The real estate giant Adler Group is planning to build 330 condominiums in the Steglitzer Kreisel – but the construction work has been stalled for years Photo: picture alliance/dpa
The Luxembourg company is considered controversial in industry circles. It is supposed to buy up real estate, artificially inflate prices, and practice opaque corporate structures.
At the hearing on Wednesday, there was still no decision. Because it is not clear against whom the lawsuit is actually directed. This is because Gaufer originally sued two companies (seller of the apartment and seller of the garage space), which have since adopted a different legal form of business.
However, the judge hinted that the Adler Group’s reasoning for withdrawing from the contract could be too weak. Gaufer’s lawyer Stephen Lietz: “From a legal point of view, I’m optimistic, that was a very good stage today.”
And Gaufer himself says: “I feel really good after the negotiation. I’m optimistic.” He could soon get support from other people affected. Joachim Holzberg (72) also bought an apartment in the roundabout “for 400,000 to 500,000 euros” and is now considering joining the lawsuit: “What the Adler Group is doing is outrageous.”
It could go to court at the end of April.