The old streetcar station at the end of Rathenaustraße has new owners, as Leipziger Verkehrsbetriebe (LVB) has sold the imposing depot halls to the Leipzig-based S&P Group. The company, which employs 500 people nationwide, announced its ambitious plans for the traditional site in Leutzsch, as reported by the Leipziger Volkszeitung newspaper.
Big plans for Leutzsch
According to information provided by the Green Party's Mayor Thomas Dienberg, the old depot halls are to be renovated in line with historic preservation requirements and supplemented with new buildings. The S&P Group has thus acquired the 11,000 square meter site at the end of Rathenaustraße. Mathias Reuschel, Chairman of the Group, explained: "We now have nine locations in Leipzig alone. From a business perspective, it is absolutely essential to bring them together."
A campus with 300 workplaces
Photo: S&P Group
The first company in the group was founded in 1991 as Sahlmann und Partner GbR and the headquarters moved to Rathenaustraße around 15 years ago. There, S&P uses a listed villa opposite the streetcar station for its software development division. In future, more than 300 jobs are to be concentrated on the new company campus. Mathias Reuschel continued: "We would also like to contribute to the fact that there will soon be catering facilities, medical care and opportunities for sporting activities here."
Added public value for the district
Together with the other shareholders, it was decided that the site should create added value for the citizens of Leutzsch. A public cycle path could lead to the Georg-Schwarz bridges, concreted open spaces will be partially unsealed and new buildings will be constructed elsewhere in accordance with the city's specifications.
Multiple uses planned
In 2024, an urban planning competition was held for eight hectares north of Philipp-Reis-Straße, from which a team from Berlin emerged victorious. The plans include space for art, culture, gastronomy and a public park next to the garden monument of the former Goerdeler Villa. Further west, 230 apartments, a school with a sports hall, a town square and commercial buildings are planned. With the support of Deutsche Bahn AG, a tunnel for pedestrians and cyclists could also be built.
A look back at the history
The two depot halls, which are 110 and 85 meters long, have not been used for streetcars for a long time, confirmed Ronald Juhrs, Technical Managing Director of Leipziger Verkehrsbetriebe (LVB). The S&P Group was selected as the best bidder in the concept procedure, with the purchase price exceeding the market value determined. LVB has also contractually secured that parts of the site may still be used, including the streetcar turning loop on Rathenaustraße.
First refurbishment project begins
As junior manager Felix Reuschel announced, the S&P Group will immediately begin refurbishing the former administration building of the streetcar station, which housed a supermarket during the GDR era. "The next step will be the depot halls. In the long term, we have many more plans," explained Reuschel, although an exact investment volume cannot yet be specified.
