DGAP-News: The Zeilgalerie in Frankfurt: Next-Generation Shopping with a Spectacular Façade


IFM Immobilien AG / Miscellaneous

19.03.2009 

Release of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a company of EquityStory AG.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Zeilgalerie in Frankfurt: Next-Generation Shopping with a Spectacular
Façade Innovative 'Zip Shopping' concept combines retail, restaurants and
culture High tech on Frankfurt's Zeil: Animated façade will display art

Frankfurt am Main, March 19, 2009: Over the next two years, Frankfurt's
Zeilgalerie will undergo a complete revitalization - and at the end, it
will offer shoppers something entirely new. Today IFM Immobilien AG, an
investor and project developer in commercial real estate with emphases on
office and downtown retail properties, unveiled the future use concept and
the upcoming structural changes for the shopping landmark. IFM, which has
owned the nationally renowned shopping galleria since the summer of 2008,
has set itself the goal of creating a unique shopping experience that
stands clearly apart from conventional shopping malls and aligns with
future shopping trends, under the guiding concept of 'Zip Shopping.' The
total investment, including revitalization, will come to about EUR 61
million.

Said Georg Glatzel, CEO of IFM Immobilien AG: 'We want to do something
entirely new -next-generation shopping. Based on extensive research into
markets and future trends, we've developed a use concept for a shopping
gallery that meets shoppers' future wishes today. The Zeilgalerie has
considerable potential that we plan to systematically enhance with the help
of our professional expertise in revitalization and real estate marketing.
The property is known nationwide, and stands in the midst of one of the
most heavily trafficked shopping districts in Germany. We'll create a
special highlight in Frankfurt's shopping zone, and contribute toward
sprucing up the whole upper Zeil.'

The Zip Shopping concept 
The strategic main idea behind the new shopping galleria, drawing on the
latest findings from research into markets and future developments, and
thus aligned with future shopping trends, is 'Zip' shopping. The aim is to
combine - to 'zip' - formerly separate features from retail, catering and
culture. The new Zeilgalerie will combine a wide variety of merchandise and
services all in one place, and at the same time satisfy shoppers' rising
expectations for a unique experience. For example, shops will offer
merchandise from completely different lines. A kitchen equipment shop might
also serve lunch - a different menu daily. Or you might find a men's
counter in the midst of a women's clothing store, where the men can hang
out while their ladies shop.

Revitalization
The process of revitalizing the Zeilgalerie will go on over the next two
years, while the shops remain open. It will include retail spaces renovated
to coordinate with each other under the Zip Shopping concept, with a
fitting assortment of brands and products. The Zeilgalerie will also be
repositioned. And the owner will be making significant structural
amendments. The Zeilgalerie will present a contemporary, quality
appearance, inside and out: IFM is working with Wiesbaden design studio
3deluxe to upgrade the building with an exclusive exterior, giving it an
entirely new look. The entrance will be expanded substantially to be more
inviting. And visitors on the Zeil will enjoy an unusual sight -art will be
displayed on an animated façade. At the same time, the building's current
special features, like its three-part front - features that already make it
unique - will be preserved, so as not to interfere with the landmark's
identity.


About IFM Immobilien AG: 
IFM Immobilien AG is an investor and project developer particularly engaged
in commercial real estate, with an emphasis on office and downtown retail
uses. In addition to conventional project development, its business also
includes redeveloping, restructuring and repositioning commercial
properties. The properties that IFM acquires generally stand out for what
IFM sees as an attractive risk-opportunity profile, extensive potential for
development and appreciation, and preferred locations. Applying this
strategy in combination with its core competences in redevelopment,
restructuring and repositioning, IFM Immobilien AG helps revitalize
properties, and thus generates what it believes will be sustainable
property values.


Contact:
For inquiries, please contact: 
Frank Elsner / Frank Paschen
Frank Elsner Kommunikation für Unternehmen GmbH
Tel: +49 (0) 5404 91 92 0
Fax:  +49 (0) 5404 91 92 29
office@elsner-kommunikation.de

Corporate contact information:
IFM Immobilien AG
Regine Liebl
Ulmenstraße 22
60325 Frankfurt
T. +49 (0) 69 7040386-0
F. +49 (0) 69 7040386-25
welcome@ifm.ag, www.ifm.ag


Karl-Ludwig-Straße 2
69117 Heidelberg 
T. +49 (0) 6221 434098-0 
F. +49 (0) 6221 434098-66 



DGAP 19.03.2009 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Language:     English
Issuer:       IFM Immobilien AG
              Karl-Ludwig-Straße 2
              69117 Heidelberg
              Deutschland
Phone:        +49 (0)6221-434 098 0
Fax:          +49 (0)6221-434 098 66
E-mail:       welcome@ifm.ag
Internet:     www.ifm.ag
ISIN:         DE000A0JDU97
WKN:          A0JDU9
Listed:       Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr
              in Berlin, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Stuttgart
End of News                                     DGAP News-Service
---------------------------------------------------------------------------