Lager 157 becomes new anchor tenant at Limbecker Platz in Essen

Essen’s Limbecker Platz shopping center has secured another major lease, with Swedish fashion brand Lager 157 set to take over around 3,000 square meters in the former Galeria space. The Scandinavian concept, known for its fashion basics for women, men, and children, made its debut in Germany in 2024 and will now expand with a flagship store in Essen. The opening is scheduled for early 2026, following redevelopment measures that will extend the center’s façade by more than ten meters and consolidate several existing retail units.

Union Investment and ECE, which jointly manage the property, describe the lease as a further milestone in repositioning the center after Galeria Karstadt’s insolvency-related exit less than a year ago. “We are delighted to have secured the third tenant for this high-quality space, just eleven months after Galeria Karstadt’s departure,” said Norman Naehrig of Union Investment, which holds Limbecker Platz in its open-ended real estate fund UniImmo: Europa. “With Peek & Cloppenburg Düsseldorf and Intersport, two other renowned concepts have already been secured. Negotiations for the remaining space are well advanced, and we are confident of announcing further leases by the end of the year.”

Steffen Friedlein, Managing Director Leasing Projects at ECE Marketplaces, which is responsible for operating and leasing the center, emphasized the importance of the deal: “The lease to Lager 157 is another step towards the successful transformation of the former department store space at Limbecker Platz – and a good example of how we are flexibly and successfully positioning the centers for the future through adapted usage concepts and new, expanding retailers.”

Beyond major anchor leases, Limbecker Platz has seen steady growth in recent months with several new openings. Lifestyle brand MINISO expanded its footprint by 170 square meters after strong initial results. The food and beverage segment has also been strengthened with new arrivals including Belchicken, Frankie’s Churros, Phien Coffee, and Lord of Döner.

Additional openings are planned for autumn 2025. These include frozen yogurt concept Berry Cool, shawarma provider Fill Full, sushi brand Nuki, and jewelry label Isnor. In a notable first, electronics company XIAOMI will open its inaugural store in a German shopping center, occupying approximately 100 square meters.

The series of lettings underscores Limbecker Platz’s ongoing transformation, positioning it as a dynamic urban shopping destination in one of Germany’s most competitive retail markets.