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Speyer is celebrating: 42 new apartments for a safe home!
Inauguration of 42 new apartments in Speyer: St. Otto as part of GEWO's largest construction project - social housing for everyone.
Speyer is celebrating: 42 new apartments for a safe home!
On October 29, 2025 the time had finally come: the new apartments in Speyer were ceremoniously inaugurated. In bright sunshine, after days of storms and rain, the managing director of GEWO, Oliver Hanneder, welcomed the invited guests. Among them were Mayor Monika Kabs, member of the Bundestag Isabel Mackensen-Geis and state parliament member Michael Wagner, who all together acknowledged the importance of this construction project. “St. Otto is not just a building, but a home for many,” said Hanneder, addressing perhaps GEWO’s biggest challenge in its history. The 42 new apartments cover a total area of 3,500 square meters and are a step in the right direction in terms of affordable housing for the region.
A highlight of the inauguration ceremony was the opportunity to view a model apartment on the fourth floor. It became clear that the focus was not only on the number of apartments, but also on the quality of life of the new residents. An additional planned 200 square meter common room will give neighbors the opportunity to meet and exchange ideas. What is particularly noteworthy is that almost half of the apartments are socially subsidized. The rents for these subsidized apartments are only 7.70 euros per square meter, while the freely financed units are 11.50 euros per square meter. A real win for the city!
Social responsibility and future-oriented living
During the celebration, Mayor Kabs also brought greetings from Mayor Stefanie Seiler, who was ill, and emphasized the social responsibility that living brings with it. “We have created a place here that is not just a rental, but a real home for many people,” said Kabs, underlining the advantages of the new apartments. The building was sold by the church at a special price in order to quickly promote the creation of affordable housing. GEWO has also announced that it will probably make some losses in the coming years. Nevertheless, construction is progressing and the total budget for the project is 19 million euros.
And it's not just the rents that should remain pleasantly low. Tenants can hope for stable rental prices over the next 20 years, which has become rare, especially these days. Five of the new apartments are barrier-free, and three of them are even wheelchair accessible. An important step for inclusion in our society!
Particular attention is also paid to the climate-friendly construction method implemented in this project. The city of Speyer shows once again that future-oriented living is not just empty phrases, but rather sets trends for our future generations. While the first tenants will soon have their new keys in their hands, it remains to be hoped that not only neighbors but also a strong sense of community will develop on the doorstep.
In summary, something big has started to happen in Speyer! The inauguration of St. Otto is not just a celebratory occasion, but a further step towards a social and sustainable living culture. So it will be exciting to see how the neighborhoods develop and what stories are written within these new four walls.