Oxford Properties Group has signed AI productivity platform Superhuman to a 3,250 m² office lease at Das Center on Potsdamer Platz, marking a significant milestone in the €300m transformation of Berlin's iconic former Sony Center. The company, previously known as Grammarly, is expected to occupy The Penthouse, a three-storey space atop the converted IMAX building, from the end of 2026.
The letting demonstrates investor appetite for Berlin's premium office market despite broader European economic headwinds. With Phase One of the redevelopment achieving 91% occupancy at market-leading rents, the project showcases how strategic repositioning of trophy assets can deliver strong returns. The €300m capital injection by Oxford and joint-venture partner Norges Bank Investment Management has transformed the 111,480 m² mixed-use campus, originally developed between 1992 and 2000 on former Berlin Wall no man's land, into a modern destination with 83,610 m² of workspace, 18,580 m² of retail space, and 67 residential units.
Jay Drexler, Vice President of Asset Management at Oxford Properties, said: "We take our role as custodians of one of Berlin's most iconic landmarks seriously and are working with our partners to reimagine Das Center at Potsdamer Platz for the modern day. Our aim is to bring together best-in-class office space and a compelling mixture of restaurants, retail, and leisure space to create a place that connects with Berliners."
John Bell, Director of Global Real Estate & Workplace Experience at Superhuman, added: "With our new hub in Das Center, we're creating a space that fuels collaboration and connection for our fast-growing team in Germany. This new space is designed to give our team members in Berlin an inspiring environment to build innovative products as we bring our new company vision to life."
Phase One, completed earlier this year, delivered 32,515 m² of Grade A office space now occupied by tenants including Deutsche Bahn, Global Logic, Exolaunch, and Egon Zehnder. The redevelopment has reimagined the seven million annual visitor destination with new public spaces, a food hall operated by London's KERB, an immersive digital art venue, and Germany's largest public realm 3D screen. Phase Two refurbishment of a 15,980 m² office building is underway, with a final 13,000 m² mixed-use building renovation scheduled for next year.
For developers and investors eyeing similar repositioning opportunities, Das Center's success offers a blueprint for transforming dated trophy assets into ESG-compliant, amenity-rich destinations. The integration of LED lighting, smart energy management, and expanded public realm demonstrates how sustainability upgrades can command premium rents whilst driving footfall and tenant retention in competitive urban markets.
People mentioned:
Jay Drexler, Vice President, Asset Management, Oxford Properties Group
John Bell, Director of Global Real Estate & Workplace Experience, Superhuman
Monika Jularic, Director of Leasing, Oxford Properties Group
Benjamin Gschnell, Managing Director, Oxford Properties Germany
Companies mentioned:
Oxford Properties Group - Global real estate investor, developer and manager
OMERS - Canadian defined benefit pension plan, owner of Oxford Properties
Superhuman - AI productivity platform (formerly Grammarly)
Norges Bank Investment Management - Joint-venture partner
Deutsche Bahn - Tenant
Global Logic - Tenant
Exolaunch - Tenant
Egon Zehnder - Tenant
KERB - Food hall operator
JLL - Superhuman's broker
Greenberg Traurig - Legal adviser
