BIG BAU

What BIG BAU does

BIG BAU Investitionsgesellschaft mbH, operating as BIG-BAU Projekt- und Stadtentwicklung, is a privately held German urban, project, and land developer headquartered in Kronshagen, Schleswig-Holstein. Founded in 1949 as a cooperative (with the current corporate entity established in 1973), the company employs approximately 250 people across ten German locations and operates with a regional concentration in northern Germany and the Rhine-Main area. Its service portfolio spans seven practices: Projektentwicklung (project development), Stadtentwicklung (urban development, including Sanierungsträger trustee mandates), Flächen und Konversion (land and conversion of brownfields/military sites), Nachhaltige Versorgung (sustainable energy and mobility concepts), Forschung und Beratung (a research and consulting institute providing data analytics), Vertrieb (direct property/land sales), and Kommunikation und Öffentlichkeitsarbeit (PR and stakeholder engagement). The company manages over 1,100 projects with fiduciary assets of approximately 2.6 billion EUR.

The business model combines B2G (business-to-government) advisory and trustee work for cities and municipalities with private real estate development. Revenue is generated through professional services fees (consulting, trustee mandates under German Städtebauförderung programs), transaction fees on land sales with building rights sold to project developers, and managed services revenue from large-scale build-out such as the ~500 million EUR Pioneer Park Hanau flagship. Proprietary technical features include combined heat and power (BHKW) district energy via joint venture GDB Infra GmbH (with GETEC), e-mobility charging and sharing infrastructure, fiber-to-the-home networks, and building standards targeting Effizienzhaus 40 EE. Primary customer segments are German municipalities (Cities of Hanau, Kiel, Niebüll, Wilster, Ratzeburg, Heide, Schleswig, Stade, Neumünster, List auf Sylt, Schwedeneck), private project developers and investors purchasing prepared land, individual residential buyers (including direct plot sales without Bauträgerbindung), and commercial real estate users (care homes, co-working). Operating subsidiaries include wholly-owned BIG Städtebau GmbH (sanitation trustee) and jointly-controlled LEG Hessen-Hanau GmbH (Hanau JV) and GDB Infra GmbH (sustainable energy JV).

Name

BIG BAU

Legal name

BIG BAU Investitionsgesellschaft mbH

Website

https://big-bau.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1949

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

BIG-BAU is a privately held German urban, project, and land developer with approximately 250 employees across 10 locations, serving cities and municipalities as an advisor and Sanierungsträger (urban regeneration trustee) while developing large mixed-use quarters, primarily in northern Germany and the Rhine-Main area.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Real Estate Development and Urban Regeneration Services

NAICS

Land Subdivision (23721), New Housing For-Sale Builders (236117), New Multifamily Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders) (236116)

SIC

Land Subdividers & Developers (No Cemeteries) (6552), General Bldg Contractors - Residential Bldgs (1520)

akta.pro primary industry

Residential Land Development & Subdivision Homebuilding (Build-to-Sell Communities) (IMAFABAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Regional & Land Use Planning (BPAHAKAE), Sustainable/Green Building & LEED Consulting (BPAHAKAG)

Keywords

• Urban development services
• Project development
• Land conversion
• Real estate development
• Urban regeneration trustee

Headquarters

HQ city

Kronshagen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Urban Development Consulting and Trustee Services: BIG-BAU acts as a consultant and urban regeneration trustee (Sanierungsträger) for cities and municipalities, managing urban development projects with a trust assets volume of approximately 2.6 billion EUR across more than 1,100 projects. Revenue is generated through fees for advisory services, project management, and trustee services paid by public sector clients.
2. Real Estate and Land Development: BIG-BAU develops large land areas and quarters for residential and commercial use. The company sells land with building rights to project developers, and also sells residential plots directly without developer binding. Revenue includes proceeds from land sales, development fees, and property sales.
3. Residential and Commercial Construction: BIG-BAU implements residential and commercial construction including care homes (Pflegeimmobilien) and co-working spaces. Projects like the Pioneer Park Hanau (500 million EUR total volume) generate revenue through development activities, partner coordination, and infrastructure delivery.
4. Communication and Public Relations Services: BIG-BAU offers communication and public relations services as part of its urban development offering, supporting municipalities with public engagement and stakeholder communication during urban projects.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

BIG-BAU is a German city, project, and land developer providing end-to-end urban and real estate development services. It develops large-scale residential and commercial quarters (including care facilities and co-working spaces), sells land with building rights to project developers, sells residential plots directly to end buyers, and acts as an urban regeneration trustee (Sanierungsträger) and consultant for cities and municipalities. A current Schwerpunkt is the conversion of former military sites into climate-friendly, mixed-use neighborhoods with sustainable energy and mobility infrastructure.

Product overview

BIG-BAU Projekt- und Stadtentwicklung is one of Germany's largest city, project, and land developers with a regional focus on northern Germany and the Rhine-Main area. Founded over 70 years ago with approximately 250 employees at ten locations, the company operates as both a consultant and sanitation trustee for cities and municipalities, and as a developer of large plots and quarters. The company offers a portfolio of services including Projektentwicklung (project development), Stadtentwicklung (urban development), Flächen und Konversion (land and conversion), Nachhaltige Versorgung (sustainable supply), Forschung und Beratung (research and consulting), Vertrieb (sales), and Kommunikation und Öffentlichkeitsarbeit (communication and public relations). The service portfolio ranges from concept to project completion with a focus on needs-based residential buildings. Real estate offerings include residential developments such as the Pioneer Park Hanau (approximately 500 million euro climate-friendly quarter for 5,000 residents), Dünenpark List auf Sylt (18-hectare conversion with affordable housing for locals), and Marthas Insel Kiel (approximately 240 apartments). Key subsidiaries include BIG Städtebau GmbH (sanitation trustee services) and joint ventures such as LEG Hessen-Hanau GmbH (Pioneer Park development) and GDB Infra GmbH (sustainable district energy systems).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Projektentwicklung (Project Development) Development of large plots and quarters, including residential and commercial construction such as care facilities (Pflegeimmobilien) and co-working spaces. BIG-BAU develops projects either for sale with building rights or for its own portfolio, accompanying them from conception to project completion with a focus on needs-based residential construction. For cities, municipalities, project developers, and end buyers.
• Stadtentwicklung (Urban Development) Urban development services managing more than 1,100 projects with fiduciary assets of approximately 2.6 billion EUR. Includes acting as urban regeneration trustee (Sanierungsträger) and consultant for cities and municipalities across Germany, accompanying Städtebauförderung programs and städtebauliche Gesamtmaßnahmen. For German cities, towns, and municipalities.
• Flächen und Konversion (Land and Conversion) Development and conversion of large-area sites with a current Schwerpunkt on converting former military areas into climate-friendly quarters. Includes land development, remediation of contaminated sites, and revitalization of brownfields. For cities, municipalities, project developers, and investors.
• Nachhaltige Versorgung (Sustainable Supply) Climate-friendly supply and mobility concepts including sustainable energy solutions (BHKW/combined heat and power, renewable energy carriers, biomethane), charging infrastructure for electric vehicles, innovative district energy systems, fiber optic networks, and e-mobility sharing offers. For urban development projects, municipalities, and residents.
• Vertrieb (Sales) Direct sales of land for single-family homes without developer binding (ohne Bauträgerbindung), as well as sales and marketing of residential and commercial properties developed by the company. For individual buyers, families, and investors.
• Forschung und Beratung (Research and Consulting) Research and consulting institute providing data analysis as the foundation for urban development projects. Consultancy services for cities, municipalities, and private clients.
• Kommunikation und Öffentlichkeitsarbeit (Communication and Public Relations) Public relations and communications services including digital communication, public participation processes, and PR for urban development projects. For cities, municipalities, and project stakeholders.
• Pioneer Park Hanau Climate-friendly, sustainable residential quarter for up to 5,000 residents on approximately 50 hectares of a former military barracks in Hanau. Features approximately 210,000 m² residential floor space, ~40,000 m² commercial floor space, ~110,000 m² green space, ~1,600 planned residential units, innovative mobility concepts with EV charging, sharing offers, neighborhood app, and BHKW-based sustainable energy supply. Total project volume approximately 500 million EUR. For residents, project developers, and the City of Hanau.
• Dünenpark List auf Sylt Residential project on approximately 18 hectares converting a former Marineversorgungsschule in List auf Sylt into approximately 300 housing units for permanent island residents, approximately 60 holiday homes (thatched), and 25,000 m² of nature areas. Climate-friendly heat supply via biomethane CHP targeting ~1,200 tonnes CO2 savings. For island residents (subsidized housing), holiday home buyers, and the Municipality of List auf Sylt.
• Marthas Insel Kiel New inner-city residential quarter in Kiel, developing approximately 240 apartments on 1.4 hectares, including 100 subsidized housing units purchased by the City of Kiel. For residents and the City of Kiel.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,100 successful urban development projects managed with approximately 2.6 billion EUR in trust assets
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• GETEC Wärme & Effizienz GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021GETEC is a strategic partner in the GDB Infra GmbH joint venture (co-owned with BIG-BAU). GDB Infra plans and implements sustainable heat supply solutions for BIG-BAU development projects, including Dünenpark List auf Sylt (saving ~1,200 tonnes CO2) and Pioneer Park Hanau, using biomethane-powered CHP systems.
• LEG Hessen-Hanau GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017LEG Hessen-Hanau GmbH is a joint venture between the city of Hanau and BIG-BAU, established in 2017. It serves as the project development company for the Pioneer Park Hanau, one of BIG-BAU's flagship projects. The joint venture coordinates investors, builders, planners, and the city for the conversion of the former Pioneer barracks into a climate-friendly quarter for up to 5,000 people.
• GDB Infra GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGDB Infra GmbH is a joint venture between GETEC and BIG-BAU that plans and delivers climate-friendly energy infrastructure for BIG-BAU urban development projects, including combined heat and power (BHKW), renewable energy integration, and energy-efficient building standards.
• GEWOSminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBIG-BAU and GEWOS collaborate on advising municipalities for sustainable inner-city development on behalf of the state of Schleswig-Holstein. GEWOS provides demographic and urban research consulting.
• Metropolregion FrankfurtRheinMainminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBIG-BAU presents the Pioneer Park Hanau project at the Metropolregion FrankfurtRheinMain stand at EXPO REAL trade fair.
• WT.SH (Wirtschaftsförderung und Technologietransfer Schleswig-Holstein GmbH)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerBIG-BAU presents projects including Dünenpark List auf Sylt at the WT.SH stand at EXPO REAL trade fair in Munich.
• Sparkasse HanauminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSparkasse Hanau was appointed as exclusive sales partner for the marketing of 372 owner-occupied apartments (Triangle Housing) in Pioneer Park Hanau.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• STRABAG Real Estate GmbH: Real estate arm of European construction major STRABAG, active in German residential and mixed-use quarter development. Overlaps with BIG-BAU in urban residential delivery but at larger corporate scale.
• Hochtief AG: Large publicly-listed German construction and infrastructure group with adjacent real estate development arm. Comparable on large-scale urban project delivery in Germany, though broader and more diversified.

Regional players

• ECE Projektmanagement GmbH & Co. KG: Hamburg-based German project developer primarily in commercial real estate (shopping centers), with growing residential quarter activity. Comparable in size and German regional footprint but skewed toward commercial use cases.

Direct peers

• Bauwert AG: German residential developer focused on city quarter development and inner-city projects, comparable in target market and product type to BIG-BAU's residential quarter pipeline.
• SAGA Siedlungs-Aktiengesellschaft Hamburg: Hamburg's municipal housing company with large-scale residential and quarter development, including climate-friendly redevelopment mandates. Comparable in mission, scale, and dependence on municipal/public policy levers.
• Instone Real Estate Group: Frankfurt-listed German residential developer active in urban infill and quarter development. Comparable on project-development scale, German footprint, and focus on metropolitan residential quarters.
• Nassauische Heimstätte | Wohnungs- und Projektentwicklung: Hesse-based state-owned residential and project developer with overlapping municipal client base and urban redevelopment mandate. Closest German analog to BIG-BAU's mix of Sanierungsträger work and direct residential development.
• Bayerische Hausbau GmbH & Co. KG: Munich-based residential and quarter developer with similar profile in large-scale German urban projects, including mixed-use conversions and municipal partnerships.
• DSK Deutsche Stadt- und Grundstücksentwicklungsgesellschaft mbH: German urban development and Sanierungsträger company with parallel federal-state program mandates. Closest named peer to BIG-BAU's Stadtentwicklung trustee business.
• GWW Wiesbadener Wohnbaugesellschaft mbH: Municipal housing developer in Hessen similar to BIG-BAU in serving German municipalities with combined trustee-style mandate and direct residential development.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/big-bau
• Facebookfacebook.com/BIGBAUProjektundStadtentwicklung

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about BIG BAU