The first LivingConference 2025 took place on 26/27 June 2025 in Frankfurt. The conference for investments in German and international residential real estate property attracted around 100 participants.

Pre-Event and Networking
The SummerReception on 25 June 2025 with personal invited guests and conference participants was a great start, and gave the participants the opportunity to expand their network.

Day 1 – Thursday, 26 June 2025

Residential investments will remain a core focus for institutional investors in 2025. Oliver Strumpf opened this year’s conference with a sentiment survey: 81% are planning investments to extend beyond 2025. Dr. Martin Moryson analyzed the economic environment and predicted easing inflation risks alongside stable capital markets. Prof. Dr. Michael Voigtländer called for structural reforms in residential construction, particularly to overcome regulatory hurdles and productivity deficits. Prof. Dr. Björn-Martin Kurzrock emphasized the role of digital infrastructure and smart energy networks in shaping future urban quarters. Lothar Rose pointed out that high construction and financing costs continue to pressure yields, but targeted subsidy programs may offer new opportunities.

In the market and segment overview, Konstantin Lüttger highlighted ongoing high demand in the existing stock and the importance of interest rate stability for financing models. Prof. Dr. Ute Knippenberger criticized the narrow supply focus on single-person households. Nikolas Jorzick presented subsidized housing as a ESG-compliant product with strong yield perspective. Rainer Nonnengässer emphasized the structural undersupply in the micro-living segment. Kirk spoke about yield comparison across European residential markets and Daniel Kremer and Daniel Kremer presented the investor benefits of residential real estate portfolios invested in Europe.

Within the ESG block, Markus Hesse addressed the financing gap as a key obstacle to ESG transformation and presented transitional solutions through targeted investment. Jens Zimmermann warned of stranding and value risks caused by inaction. Christian Freundl positioned refurbishments of selected existing stock as a financially viable alternative to new construction.

In the value creation section, Max Jaspers analyzed the potential of build-to-rent strategies, while Frank Schäfer highlighted opportunities in small-unit refurbishments enabled by digital processes. Dr. Joachim von Klitzing underlined the growing relevance of ESG criteria for exit scenarios. In the closing panel, Karin Groß, Felix Frankl, Christina Holdorf and Enver Büyükarslan discussed strategic approaches across ESG alignment, core product selection, refurbishment and reputation risk.The first day concluded with focused networking via face-to-face meetings and a joint conference dinner.

Day 2 – Friday, 27 June 2025

The second day focused on international markets and institutional investment strategies. David Christie analyzed the key challenges for institutional investors in the UK rental market, including operating margins and market fragmentation. Stephanie Mörtl, Mikael Hjorth and Harri Retkin presented the Nordic region, where high demand is met with declining construction volumes. Recovery remains regionally uneven, with urban markets proving more stable.

Otto Rompelman outlined Dutch rent regulation, characterized by a differentiated point-based system. Ziv Cohen presented the U.S. build-to-rent segment, which is growing through standardized, service-oriented suburban housing models. Christian Behrend highlighted Japan’s rental market-stable, affordable, and attractive due to low refurbishment costs.

Following an extended networking break, Marco Simonis presented fund and investment structures across Europe, focusing on AIFM quota requirements, Solvency II regulations, and the potential classification of social housing as infrastructure for pension funds.

In the closing session, Florian Schwalm, Immo von Homeyer, Sven Ley, Dr. Frank Rackensperger and Felix Speetzen discussed regional investment strategies-from value-add and coliving to affordable housing. Key influencing factors remain product availability, capital allocation and regulatory conditions in target markets.

The LivingConference 2025 clearly demonstrated the complexity of today’s residential investment landscape - from ESG and regulation to product strategies and international perspectives. Main topics consisted of future-oriented concepts, a promising yet troubling demand-overhang and the central question of how institutional capital can be effectively directed into sustainable housing.