WE ARE A BERLIN BASED REAL ESTATE DEVELOPER
TRANSFORMING EXISTING BUILDINGS IN A
SUSTAINABLE AND IMPACT-ORIENTED WAY.
The transformation of real estate stock is the central task of our time. Founded in 2022, during noticeable climate changes, we embarked on a mission to contribute to significantly reducing the considerable CO₂ footprint left by the real estate industry, making it visible and measurable, to achieve set sustainability goals.
Shift represents a new way of thinking that inherently combines economic, ecological, and social responsibility – and, more importantly, it does not end at the property line.
Our sole focus is on building within existing structures. This allows us to sustainably reposition buildings in the market based on economic fundamentals, integration of subsidies, and cost-conscious repurposing concepts.
Our core competence is transferring building substance into a sustainable future. Beyond conserving resources and employing climate-friendly construction methods, we see the necessity of converting sealed surfaces back into new urban green spaces. Our development focus is on both individual properties and versatile quarters, where we collaborate with users to create favorite places with their own unique DNA, based on perhaps forgotten site histories, giving something back to society.
Every shift represents an investment in the location and its people, deviating from traditional project development paths.
OUR PRODUCTS
COMMERCIAL TO MIXED USE
TRANSFORMATION
COMMERCIAL TO MIXED USE
We specialise in properties at the end of their life cycle or in turbulent waters. Our strength is the development of realisable concepts with genuine sustainability - Article 9-compliant
COMMERCIAL TO RESIDENTIAL
TRANSFORMATION
COMMERCIAL TO RESIDENTIAL
It works! We transform outdated office buildings from the 1950s to the1990s into modern living spaces - economically implemented and sustainably marketable.
CHURCH PROPERTIES
TRANSFORMATION
CHURCH PROPERTIES
We focus on challenging properties and their transformation with measurable economic, social and ecological impact.
SERVICES
- Sourcing + Transaction Management
- Transformation Studies + Strategy Development
- Project Initiation + Business Plan Development
- Planning Control + Obtaining Building Rights
- Project Management + Owner Representation
- Asset Management Plus
- Letting Management + Branding
INVESTMENT
PORTFOLIO HOLDER
Transforming real estate with purpose. For sustainable and social cities.
WE ARE SHIFT
And we are looking for people who want to make our vision a reality.
Join our team or reach out to us directly on LinkedIn.
DANIEL SCHÖNFELDER
"To ensure that real estate provides long-term value, it must fulfill more than just a self-serving purpose. Transforming the built environment into properties with ecological and social impact is the central challenge of our time, and its implementation is primarily a matter of mindset.“
Daniel leverages his wide range of experience in the development of existing properties across all asset classes, along with his expertise as a real estate manager, industrial engineer and in real estate law, to drive every project forward. In responsible roles, he has provided innovative solutions to complex challenges beyond the realm of real estate, most recently at apoprojekt in Berlin. Since 2019, Daniel has been the Berlin YL Co-Chair of the Urban Land Institute.
RAPHAEL WOWRA
"Energy-efficient refurbishment and the transformation of buildings are a critical mission for our generation that we at Shift are tackling. At the same time, we must address the housing crisis in urban areas – a challenge I am particularly dedicated to resolving.”
Raphael brings experience from various disciplines within the real estate industry, combining strategic thinking with practical expertise. After graduating in International Real Estate Management, he worked in Structured Finance, Consultancy, and Real Estate Development. As Director at FAP Invest, he structured Germany's first Article 9 debt fund – an ESG impact fund that set new standards for sustainable investing. Today, Raphael is responsible for transactions, finance, and impact investment at Shift. He is advancing the expansion of our JV and investment platform for our institutional investors. Raphael is an RICS charterholder and an Honorary Member of the MAT network. In his free time, he enjoys sailing and exploring on road bike tours.
AGNES COFALLA
"Our top priority should be conserving resources. In terms of our industry, this means utilizing existing buildings and handling construction and raw materials with care. I am convinced that sustainability and efficiency go hand in hand.”
As a real estate generalist, Agnes perfectly combines various disciplines in processes and structures. Her broad experience in building operations, interior construction, and management consulting completes every real estate transformation. This, coupled with a spark of curiosity, enables her to bring her convictions for sustainability, environmental protection, and social engagement to life in both private and professional contexts.
NIKOLAS LÖHR
"As the largest CO2 emitter, we are not only responsible for developing sustainable solutions for the climate, but also for fulfilling our role in fostering social cohesion.“
Nikolas brings extensive industry experience, including roles at Kempers (now JLL) and Comfort in commercial letting and investment. At Signature Capital and FREO, he was responsible for the revitalization and positioning of shopping centers, and most recently, he led the development of the Karstadt project at Ku'damm with the cultural project POP KUDAMM at SIGNA. After completing his banking apprenticeship, Nikolas studied Architecture and General Management (MBA) in Berlin and Cambridge.
JOHANN WEISS
"The transformation of ecclesiastical real estate, especially the architecturally and culturally significant sacred buildings, offers enormous economic, ecological and socio-cultural potential for the church itself and for sustainable neighborhood development."
Johann combines practical real estate expertise with top-tier DFG research on the economic implications of transforming sacred spaces. His interdisciplinary research work in the TRANSARA project and continuous engagement with volunteer and church stakeholders make him an expert in complex transformation tasks. For Johann, the 'S' in ESG is paramount not only in real estate projects; hence, he is active as a Male Ally at F!F, as the head of the ICG Roundtable on Sacred Buildings, and at IRE | BS CORE. He was honoured as Most Aspiring Talent (MAT/#top30under30) in the real estate industry and received the DIA Research Award.
SHIFT DEVELOPMENT
OUR PROJECTS
Schloss-Straßen-Center, BERLIN
The Schloss-Straßen-Center, a renowned retail hotspot in South Berlin, faced the need to reinvent itself following the departure of its anchor tenant. As part of the project, our responsibilities included developing multiple subsequent utilisation concepts, exploring the potential for redensification, managing the development process, coordinating with authorities, and providing technical asset management services.
The Centre for International Arts was established as a creative interim use. Additionally, we conducted ESG analyses, CRREM monitoring, and a pre-assessment for BREEAM certification.
MULTI-FAMILY BUILDING, BERLIN
Our involvement in a residential building in Berlin-Wedding demonstrates how a sustainable transformation of the German housing stock can be achieved through energy-efficient modernisation and impact-oriented repositioning. The project initially focused on developing forward-looking utilisation concepts and creating redensification studies.
INDUSTRIAL MONUMENT ZWISCHENPUMPWERK, BERLIN
The "Zwischenpumpwerk Ostberlin" project demonstrates how an industrial monument can be transformed into a mixed-use commercial property through repositioning. We support the owner in service phases 1 to 4, laying the foundation for sustainable development. The project combines monument preservation with modern utilisation, ensuring economic success and the protection of cultural heritage.
PARADOME, POTSDAM
As part of our transaction advisory services, we supported the transaction process on behalf of the owner and facilitated the acquisition of a planning permit during service phases 1 to 4. Feasibility studies and scenario analyses examined technical and economic options, forming the basis for planning and pre-letting. The owner secured a 20-year lease agreement with a federal authority, followed by the sale of the property to a joint venture with a project developer.
KARSTADT KU’DAMM / POP KUDAMM, BERLIN
While assuming project responsibility for the development of a high-rise neighbourhood on Berlin's Ku'damm, renowned partners such as UN Studio, KCAP, Sauerbruch Hutton, and Realace collaborated to develop a pioneering urban concept unparalleled in its ambition. Together with GRAFT Architects and Platoon Cultural Management, the temporary container culture project "POP KUDAMM" was realised on the newly created brownfield site — a creative hub setting new cultural accents in Berlin's "City West."
Personal reference from Nikolas Löhr.
NEUMARKT GALERIE, Cologne
Project and budget responsibility, along with the management of construction and letting measures, were undertaken for the repositioning of a mixed-use property on Cologne's Neumarkt. The project involved demolition work and redensification of the shopping centre while maintaining uninterrupted tenant operations. Meticulous coordination and close collaboration with stakeholders ensured seamless alignment of construction progress and tenant activities.
Personal reference from Nikolas Löhr.
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION
To ensure that real estate developers and property owners have a platform to secure long-term social impact, the right people and organizations need to be on site. Through the non-profit organization, we can act as enablers beyond the realm of real estate.
SOCIAL RETURN
When selecting and implementing our development projects, we incorporate environmental and social aspects into the business plan on an equal footing from the very beginning. To measure the impact in the long term, we develop metrics for both ecological and social return.