As part of the Borkum 2030 mission statement and the associated integrated urban development concept (ISEK), the planning in the Reede district is entering the concrete implementation phase. Borkum Hafen Immobilien GmbH, together with the Viennese architectural firm Delugan Meissl Associated Architects (DMAA) and with the support of Nordseeheilbad Borkum GmbH, is developing a concept for the development of the offshore service district on the north bank and the upper part of the east bank, the former naval port.

An important milestone was reached with the signing of the notary contract on May 04, 2018. Numerous milestones had already been successfully mastered. It all started on March 07, 2017 with an inspection of all Nordseeheilbad Borkum GmbH properties by its management and members of the Borkum city council. In the course of this, the great need for action, but also the great potential of the port, became particularly clear. Following the inspection, the management of Nordseeheilbad Borkum GmbH presented a concept for the sustainable use of the naval port to the council at an intergroup meeting. Based on the results contained therein, Borkum-Reede is to be developed in an attractive way, both economically and in terms of urban development. After the meeting, there was agreement that such a project would only be successful if one's own performance was complemented by commitment from the private sector; In addition, the currently favorable time window must be used. “Commitment is now necessary in the port because a new expansion stage of offshore wind farms is currently taking place (including Trianel Windpark Borkum 2) and offshore wind suppliers are therefore choosing attractive supply ports again right now,” says Göran Sell, Managing Director of the North Sea spa town of Borkum GmbH.

As a result of the meeting, Nordseeheilbad Borkum GmbH received the order from the council members to look for a private investor as a partner for the project. A promising initial contact with the Bremen wind farm project developer wpd was made in April 2017. Almost at the same time, the council decided on April 20, 2017 to develop an ISEK (integrated urban development concept). On September 27, 2017, the decision was made by the VU (preparatory investigations) for the Reede district, which together form the planning framework for the planned investment project. The roadstead is in most need of modernization. This was the result of the island workshop in November 2017, in which many citizens of Borkum took part and an architect from the planning team for the offshore district was also on site. At that time, there were already a number of good ideas from the population for the large open spaces. The development and use of the north bank for offshore housing was discussed in the island workshop as a particularly important element for the entire port development. Based on these results, the DMAA office was able to produce a first draft in December 2017. The Viennese architects are successful worldwide and have successfully realized, among other things, the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart. Right at the beginning of the year, on January 08, 2018, concrete plans were discussed with political representatives, their suggestions were taken up and then presented to the entire city council in an intergroup meeting on March 05, 2018. “Through ongoing feedback between the planning for the offshore district and the work at the ISEK and the preparatory investigations (VU), the various planning levels were brought into very good agreement. At the same time, an optimal basis could be created for the application for inclusion in urban development funding as planned by June 01, 2018,” says Frank Schlegelmilch from the city and regional planning office BPW baumgart+partner. Borkum's mayor Georg Lübben is also enthusiastic about the development: “I very much welcome the developments on Borkum-Reede. They will lead to more economic power, which is necessary for the future of the island.” The basis of the commitment is a leasehold agreement concluded with Nordseeheilbad Borkum GmbH. On April 19, 2018, the supervisory board of Nordseeheilbad Borkum GmbH as a control body, which is made up of the political members of the city council and the mayor of the city of Borkum, unanimously approved the conditions of the leasehold contract negotiated by the management with the investors. “All committee resolutions since the start of the process in spring 2017 have been passed unanimously,” says Göran Sell, who, as managing director of NordseeheilbadBorkum GmbH, also represents the area owner.

The district development should take place in two phases. The first construction phase provides for the completion of around 100 residential units primarily for offshore service employees. In a second construction phase, around 140 residential units are to be built, primarily for tourist service staff. The realization of the second construction phase depends on whether the expected demand for the first 100 residential units is actually realized. Completion of the first construction phase is scheduled for spring 2020. Borkum Hafen Immobilien GmbH is a company of the wpd group. The focus of activity is the development and operation of wind energy projects onshore and offshore.

Due to its long-standing focus of activity, the company has great interest in the development of the offshore service district on the north bank and the upper part of the east bank. “Borkum is one of the most attractive locations in the offshore sector. By founding Borkum Hafen Immobilien GmbH, based in Borkum, we are underlining our great interest in making a difference here,” says Managing Director Dr. Meier.The wpd group has been active in the area of ​​project development and operation of onshore and offshore wind energy projects for over 20 years.

With over 2.000 employees, the Bremen-based wpd group, which includes wpd AG, wpd windmanager GmbH & Co. KG and Deutsche Windtechnik AG, is now one of the world's leading companies in these segments. They want to bring the know-how and their contacts from these two decades of passionate commitment to Borkum to create value. In Bremen, a joint company is currently developing a district on the waterfront, there on the Weser, which is intended to become comprehensively climate-neutral and for this purpose provides for an innovative coupling of the heat, home electricity and mobility sectors using renewable hydrogen. “The urban development of the Reede district should go hand in hand with its future-oriented energy orientation.

We have also already initiated an application process for funding for the energy-efficient renovation of the entire district (KfW 432). Conducting conceptual considerations about sector coupling and hydrogen production and use for the offshore district also contributes directly to our goal of becoming an emission-free island by 2030 and thus living up to our responsibility for the Wadden Sea World Natural Heritage Site. That's why we're really looking forward to working with wpd." reports Göran Sell and adds: "The group's plan will also have a revitalizing effect on the local economy, especially on the craft and gastronomy sectors. It also increases the scope for action of Nordseeheilbad Borkum GmbH to further shape the island in the interests of the islanders in accordance with the Borkum 2030 strategy.”

With the signing of the notary contract on May 04, 2018, the next steps of the project can now be taken and the spa district as the “living room of the island” can once again be put in greater focus.

About Borkum

The North Sea island of Borkum (5.300 inhabitants) is the largest of the East Frisian Islands and hosts around 300.000 overnight guests every year with around 2,5 million. Overnight stays. The strategic island tourism orientation focuses on the high seas climate and vitality, sport and exercise, nature and beach as well as culture. Borkum is located in the Wadden Sea UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a state-recognized North Sea spa, certified as a thalasso region and has the label of allergy-friendly island (ECARF seal).

About Nordseeheilbad Borkum GmbH

Nordseeheilbad Borkum GmbH is a wholly owned subsidiary of the city of Borkum. All municipal economic activities are bundled in the company: operation of public tourist facilities (tourist information, Gezeitenland ~ Water & Wellness, Nordsee Aquarium, event house “Kulturinsel”, the “play island” for the little ones), management of the entire beach and the infrastructure near the beach (promenade, spa hall by the sea with gastronomy, pavilion with spa music “Music & Sea”), marketing of the island, supply of electricity to the island , water and heat, operation of the Nordsee Windport Borkum, a large part of the harbor and the island airfield. With more than 150 employees, Nordseeheilbad Borkum GmbH is the largest employer on the island.