(powercloud, Achern, 11/20/2020) Another milestone has been reached in the redevelopment of the Illenauwiesen area: Major Klaus Muttach and Marco Beicht as Managing Director with sole power of representation of the purchaser signed the sales contract for the acquisition of an area of 20,000 square meters. Both contracting parties emphasized that, following extensive contract negotiations, a fair result was negotiated for both parties. For example, the purchase price was determined based on a valuation report prepared by the Achern City Council’s expert committee, and further services were agreed as customary for the city in such projects.
The city had acquired the Illenauwiesen area of 52,000 square meters from the German Institute for Federal Real Estate (Bundesanstalt für Immobilienaufgaben) back in 2016. After selling the 3,400 square meters of the riding hall area and now the partial area of 20,000 square meters, the remaining part of the Illenauwiesen remains in the ownership of the city of Achern. The area along Mühlbach creek is to be designed as a public green space based on the recently held urban planning ideas competition. Mühlbach creek is to be included as a publicly accessible natural element, and a footpath and cycle path are to be created along Mühlbach creek, as well as a small bridge over Mühlbach creek with a connection to the city center.
“The creation of an IT campus by Marco Beicht and his group of companies brings jobs to Achern, increases buying power, and will also see 140 apartments built for new arrivals to Achern. Both parties continue to show interest in building a hotel to offer additional attractive accommodation, including for the new Illenau Culture and Conference Center (KTI). A new bakery on the site is also a welcome addition to local amenities. We are particularly pleased that powercloud GmbH, a fast-growing company operating worldwide in an future-oriented industry, has chosen Achern as its headquarters,” says a clearly satisfied Mayor Klaus Muttach.
Combination of working and living is intended to attract highly qualified specialists and executives
Company owner Marco Beicht sees the investment of 85 million euros as a great future opportunity, both for the rapidly growing company that he founded eight years ago and for his home town of Achern. “The working and living concept” is designed to provide two hundred IT and software experts on campus with both a highly attractive working environment and attractive accommodation options very close to company headquarters. This combination of working and living is intended to attract highly qualified specialists and executives to Achern. This is a key factor in continuing the successful history of powercloud GmbH,” says Marco Beicht.
“We expect the project to meet high ecological standards. All essential aspects of sustainable, environmentally-friendly construction are being taken into account. The construction area is to be developed in an almost CO2-neutral manner and the two underground parking garages will accommodate about 365 car parking spaces and 250 bicycle parking spaces, including e-charging stations, while the campus will be car-free above ground,” assures Marco Beicht.
Expanding the infrastructure offering
Mayor Klaus Muttach sees the sale of the lower part of the Illenauwiesen area to the investor as an important development boost for the town. “We plan to invest some of the proceeds of the sale in building a public, close-to-nature park along Mühlbach creek and in building affordable apartments. The infrastructure follow-up costs levy of over 500,000 euros, determined under the customary rules, will be a financing component towards establishing a two-group kindergarten on the grounds of the Antoniusschule Oberachern school and a six-group kindergarten on the grounds of the glassworks. The increase in buying power resulting from additional jobs and the gradually growing population is strengthening retail trade and expanding the infrastructure offering, for example the availability of childcare places,” says Muttach.
In a joint press release accompanying the notarial certification of the sales contract, Klaus Muttach and Marco Beicht were confident that this milestone will be followed by the successful completion of the next step in the realization of the project.