Starting signal in Cuxhaven's old fishing port for HENRI hotel, restaurants and shops from summer 2026 

Starting signal for the 1st construction phase at the Alter Fischereihafen (AFH)! Despite the current difficult market situation for real estate project developments with significant cost and interest rate increases, the project company AFH Alter Fischereihafen Cuxhaven GmbH (AFH GmbH) has succeeded in securing the main tenant for the hotel in Fischhallen V and VI and the financing for the associated investment package of around €100 million. Besides the complete modernisation of the historic fish halls IV, V and VI, the first construction phase also includes the renovation of the quay wall and the net hall. This will significantly upgrade the AFH as a whole and the measures will provide an excellent basis for the following construction phases.

HENRI Hotel Cuxhaven GmbH, a subsidiary of Rostock-based DSR Hotel Holding GmbH, will set up a HENRI Country House in Fischhallen V and VI alongside other hospitality and retail outlets.
"With the new HENRI Country House in Cuxhaven, we focus not only on a unique location, but also on an innovative overall concept. Our aim is to offer tradition and modernity in an inspiring ambience," emphasises Karl J. Pojer, CEO of DSR Hotel Holding.

Located in the heart of the old fishing port, the 145-room hotel exudes the flair of the historic fish market hall and aims to become a hotspot for travellers and locals alike. The interior, designed by Geplan Design, sensitively picks up elements of the 1920s construction period and puts the raw charm of the industrial building in an exciting relationship with modern, cosy design outside the mainstream.

On the ground floor of the former fish market halls, the HENRI Lounge is both a lively meeting place and an intimate retreat. And not only for travellers and HENRI house guests, as the Country House is also open to neighbours and residents of Cuxhaven: as part of the HENRI membership, they can use the lounge and all service facilities from early morning until late at night. People can meet up with friends in the large neighbourhood "living room", enjoy drinks and snacks in the "home kitchen", browse the library or use the co-working space for work or business meetings. Other facilities at the HENRI Country House Cuxhaven include the Gym & Spa and the "house kitchen", where breakfast is served, as well as self-service drinks and snacks throughout the day in accordance with the Honesty Principle. The HENRI Cuxhaven also has the right offer for families and long-term guests: Room combinations include 'cabin rooms' and a spacious XL studio with a cosy central seating area, and suites with kitchenettes and a large separate living area."

The planning application for the renovation and conversion of Fischhallen V & VI was submitted to the Department 6 - Planning, Urban Development and Construction of the City of Cuxhaven in April 2024 for review and approval.

The renovation of Fischhalle IV is already underway. There are offices on the top floor and fish-processing companies in the basement alongside catering facilities. The long-term commitment of these tenants ensures that the maritime-commercial character of the AFH will continue to be guaranteed in the long term.

Norbert Plambeck, who acquired the port area in late 2016 through his Plambeck Holding, is pleased to be working with blueorange Development Partner GmbH, a subsidiary of Volksbank BRAWO, which joined the project as a co-shareholder of AFH GmbH in late 2022.

Besides the shareholders' funds, a consortium consisting of the Weser-Elbe Sparkasse as consortium leader, Sparkasse Rotenburg Osterholz, Kreissparkasse Stade and Stadtsparkasse Cuxhaven is providing the loan capital for the conversion of Fischhallen V and VI. In addition, Volksbank Stade-Cuxhaven has been closely involved in the AFH from the beginning of the project. The Land of Lower Saxony is contributing to the cost of the quay wall renovation as part of the joint programme "Improvement of the regional economic structure". The renovation of the Netzhalle is supported by federal funds from the culture and media sector. In addition, the hotel company receives subsidies from the Land of Lower Saxony and the federal government from the joint programme "Individual investment promotion in the accommodation sector".

The start of construction works for the quay wall renovation is planned for autumn 2024 and completion for late 2025. The construction of the quay wall as an energy dam wall is being investigated. This would be the first large heat exchanger of its kind and could provide heating and cooling to the entire AFH. Most of the operating energy required for this should be obtained from solar energy systems on the roofs of the AFH.

Martin Pietsch, Managing Director of blueorange Development Partner GmbH, is delighted: "This is just the beginning of a great development at the Cuxhaven location. The Old Fishing Harbour will now develop rapidly, attract new groups of guests and also offer the residents of Cuxhaven a new and interesting offer. We are delighted to be able to contribute our cooperative expertise in project development and financing here."

Norbert Plambeck, Managing Partner of Plambeck Holding GmbH, thanks the majority group in Cuxhaven City Council and everyone who has supported the AFH project politically. He also thanks the Cuxhaven City Council for the constructive cooperation and Niedersachsen Ports for the good and trust-based cooperation. His special thanks go to the employees, who have put their heart and soul into developing the project.

About the Old Fishing Harbour Cuxhaven (AFH)
The Old Fishing Harbour Cuxhaven is a historic port area with great potential for development into a modern and attractive location in the heart of the city. Here in Cuxhaven, the future is being created on around seven hectares of former port land. With the financing of the first major construction phase, important redevelopment measures are being implemented to open up the port to new uses and increase the economic viability of the site.

About HENRI Hotels
Vibrant hospitality and a cosmopolitan atmosphere create a familiar, universal feeling called HENRI. The HENRI Hotel Hamburg Downtown was the brand's first hotel to open in 2013. This was followed by openings in Berlin, Düsseldorf and Vienna. HENRI is now available not only in the city centre, but also in popular holiday destinations: In Seefeld and soon in Kitzbühel, a HENRI Country House welcomes guests all year round. HENRI hotels are characterised by the use of existing buildings and reference to the property's history. Attention to detail gives each hotel its own personal HENRI touch. HENRI's claim: guests should feel at home, as if they were at a friend's house.

The Henri Hotels brand is owned by DSR Hotel Holding. DSR Hotel Holding operates as a hotel management company in Germany, Austria and Italy and acts as a tenant and operator of hotel projects. It is also a holding company for operating participations. As a subsidiary of DR Hospitality GmbH & Co. KG, it has been a joint venture between DSR GmbH and DER Touristik Group as majority shareholder (part of REWE Group) since 2021. The portfolio currently consists of 35 hotels, 16 of which are managed under three of the best-known and most prestigious hotel and resort brands in German-speaking countries: A-ROSA, aja and HENRI. The portfolio also includes two traditional individual hotels, Hotel NEPTUN and Hotel Louis C. Jacob, and four hotels of the Italian subsidiary Mira Hotels & Resorts.

More information can be found at www.henri-hotels.com.