Bayerischer Hof in Starnberg: Renovation planned under new management!

Bayerischer Hof in Starnberg: Renovation planned under new management!

There is exciting news in Starnberg: The Bayerischer Hof has found a new owner. The renowned real estate developer Dr. Peter Löw has taken over the listed building and the district office has already approved the legal supervision. The contract was notarized by the notary on Monday morning. The price for the 2,000 square meter area is 100,000 euros, but this should be viewed more symbolically. The historic building has been empty for five years and is considered at risk of collapse, but Löw is optimistic and describes the structure as “solidly built” after having visited the building several times with experts.

The Bayerischer Hof, which was built in 1864/65 as the “Hotel Harffen”, has a long history and is one of the oldest buildings in Starnberg. It is clear that there is a lot at stake here, as the historical significance of the house is undisputed. The planned renovation is estimated to cost around 15 million euros, and Löw has committed to completing the work by the end of 2030, although he hopes to do so as early as 2027.

Planned measures and usage

The redesign of the Bayerischer Hof should not include any extensions or underground parking spaces. Instead, Löw focused on important topics such as electricity, heating and energy efficiency. A second escape route on the upper floors will be ensured and the possibility of an elevator will also be examined. A café is planned for the ground floor, which will be reminiscent of past royalty, while a traditional Bavarian inn with a beer garden is being planned for the basement. However, the use of the middle floors remains open, and employee apartments are planned for the top floor. Under Löw's leadership, there are no longer any plans to use a hotel because this model is not financially viable.

The city of Starnberg is pleased with the new development and has even agreed to an addendum to the contract to secure the city. Löw also plans to submit all building applications within the next twelve months and would like to largely restore the old structure of the building.

Support through monument protection programs

In order to support such renovation projects, the Minister of State for Culture has launched a new special monument protection program. Additional funds of 35 million euros are available in the 2025 budget, which will be used specifically for the renovation of historical buildings such as the Bayerischer Hof. The funding, which can cover up to 50 percent of the eligible costs, is particularly important for medium-sized construction and craft businesses that are involved in such conservation measures.

So it remains exciting to see how the renovation of the Bayerischer Hof will develop. The city of Starnberg and Dr. Löw are ready to make the historic building flourish again—just in time to give Germany's cultural landscape new splendor.

For further information about monument protection and the corresponding funding programs, those interested can read here.

How the project will develop and what new highlights the Bayerische Hof in Starnberg can bring remains to be seen. However, the signs are good and could herald a new chapter in the history of this charming Bavarian district.

For detailed information about the takeover of the Bayerischer Hof by Dr. Löw is referred to Merkur and for further insights into the project to the Süddeutsche Newspaper.