Location factors for craft businesses: Affordable premises in Brandenburg

Affordable workshops, storage facilities, and commercial spaces are a crucial factor for craft businesses when choosing a location. The situation varies considerably across Brandenburg.

Outside of Berlin and its immediate surroundings, the chances of renting or buying affordable retail spaces, workshops, or warehouses are greater in many places. In eastern Brandenburg, for example, the current commercial rent index from the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) shows that in many locations, rents have remained largely unchanged compared to the last survey in 2022.

Market trends in commercial rents for tradespeople

The upper end of the price range rose slightly or remained constant, while the lower end declined slightly or remained unchanged. Astrid Köbsch , Managing Director and Head of Business Development at the Frankfurt (Oder) Chamber of Skilled Crafts , assesses the market situation for the region she oversees: "In rural areas and regions far from major cities, net rents are often quite moderate, especially for simple properties. Higher prices are charged for renovated or new buildings. For craft businesses, which often have only a few employees and therefore limited space requirements, it is not easy to find suitable premises. Retail spaces in city centers are often not adequate and therefore require expensive renovations. And for manufacturing companies looking to expand, it is often difficult to find additional space."

According to Astrid Köbsch, commercial space in the Berlin metropolitan area is more expensive and scarce due to high demand . Indeed, it is currently difficult to find affordable properties in places like Hoppegarten, Panketal, or Erkner. However, commercial space can certainly be found further afield in eastern Brandenburg. The " CityCenter " in Eisenhüttenstadt is urgently seeking commercial tenants from the trades, there are vacant plots in the Müllrose industrial park , and two industrial parks built with EU funding on the outskirts of Frankfurt (Oder) offer space for tradespeople and small and medium-sized enterprises.

North-South Divide: Price Situation in South Berlin

There is a clear north-south divide in the districts and municipalities south of Berlin. Marion Schirmer , Managing Director of the Dahme-Spreewald Economic Development Corporation , says: "In our region, which stretches from Schönefeld far into the south, the price situation is mixed. Near Berlin, office rents are around 14 euros per square meter, while further south they drop to just eight euros per square meter. There are also quite a few properties for sale in the southern areas."

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In Märkisch Buchholz, Marion Schirmer and her team are currently developing an industrial park that specifically takes into account the needs of craft businesses – with small plots and small-scale marketing: "Interested businesses can contact us at any time."

In Potsdam, the state capital, the market for small-scale commercial properties is tight, according to Alexander Arnold , a business consultant at the Potsdam Chamber of Skilled Crafts: "While there are generally available properties, these are often concentrated in offices, retail spaces, or larger units. For craft businesses, affordable workshop, production, and storage spaces with good delivery access, sufficient parking, and suitable usage options are particularly scarce. The continued strong demand for such spaces is meeting a limited supply, while rising construction, energy, and financing costs are making the development of new commercial units more difficult. Potsdam therefore needs more small-scale, flexibly divisible, and craft-friendly commercial spaces – especially in easily accessible locations."

Challenges in the search for commercial space

Oliver Majowski , Managing Partner of the 2M Group , is experiencing firsthand how difficult it is to find suitable and affordable commercial space for his company in Potsdam: "We've reached our limits with our current rental property on Drewitzer Straße, as it doesn't allow for the installation of photovoltaics, air conditioning, or electric vehicle charging stations. The Potsdam Economic Development Agency is supporting us in our search for a new property and has put us in touch with several landowners. However, the offers we've received haven't been financially viable for us. As a building cleaning company with 657 employees, we need 2.000 to 2.500 square meters for offices, storage, and parking. I haven't given up hope that we'll find something affordable."

For six years, Andreas Neyen , managing partner of ST Gebäudetechnik, a company specializing in heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and plumbing , had hoped to expand in the industrial park on Horstweg in Potsdam. "We wanted to increase our premises by 1.500 square meters to build a company daycare center, a cafeteria, and seminar rooms. The land was actually available, but then part of it was designated as a biotope. Every three months, the city gave us the runaround. We finally decided to pull the plug and bought a company in Erkner that had no successor, and we're now expanding there."

Support from the Chamber of Skilled Crafts: In Potsdam and the surrounding Berlin commuter belt, rents for commercial premises and warehouses are significantly higher than in rural areas. The Chambers of Skilled Crafts support businesses in their search for suitable spaces and premises.

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