The Motel One Frankfurt Messe attracts both business and leisure guests. (Photo: Motel One)

Motel One Frankfurt Messe comes under new ownership as BVK and GBI buy the high-performing property hoping for a high ROI.

Recently, Frankfurt’s Motel One changed ownership as investment funds realised the property’s potential ROI and jumped at the chance to buy it.

We find out more about this deal.

Motel One Frankfurt gets new owners

The BVK’s (Bayerische Versorgungskammer) real estate fund has partnered with the GBI AG to expand its portfolio by buying Motel One Frankfurt.

The GBI-managed fund invests in various types of hotels and works with both established and newly built properties as well as ones that are currently in the planning or construction phase.

Since the Motel One boasts great design, an excellent location, reasonable prices and 11,500 sqm of meeting and event spaces, the business was guaranteed from the get-go and the hotel has performed well since its 2014 openings.

Given these points, the BVK and GBI saw the property’s potential in terms of ROI and took it off the DWS fund’s hands.

“For us, a property must be in a good location, have the right concept, be of good overall quality, have a strong future outlook in the market, and promise long-term returns on investment,” explains Simon Behr, Director of Fund Management & Transaction at GBI AG, which is responsible for the strategic direction and selection of investments within the fund.

Felix Becker, investment manager at BVK adds: “By working with the widest possible range of hotel categories, we take full advantage of the diverse return opportunities on the accommodation market for our institutional investors.”

Apart from Germany, BVK and GBI also invest in Austria and Switzerland.

Excellent occupancy rates and long-term potential

The 401-room Motel One Frankfurt Messe benefits from its convenient location in the popular Gallusviertel.

Its location close to the exhibition centre and the main train station, as well as the direct connection to the airport, create a highly attractive destination for business travellers.

Leisure guests can reach the Frankfurt Cathedral, the Old Opera or the Museum of Modern Art within a 30-minute walk or quick train ride.

“Given its location, its excellent occupancy and the hotel’s strong potential, it was no surprise that the due diligence not only confirmed our expectations but even exceeded them,” said fund manager Simon Behr.

According to our TOPHOTELCONSTRUCTION online database, there are 339 hotel projects in the pipeline in Germany, 19 of them are in Frankfurt: