Urban Partners sells landmark low-carbon development Ripple Residence to Proteus GmbH
Urban Partners, a leading European urban investment manager, announced today an agreement to sell via its NSF IV fund, Ripple Residence, a landmark development project in Copenhagen, to Proteus GmbH, a sustainability-focused real estate investor based in Germany.
The residential project will aim to deliver record-low carbon emissions and best-in-market energy-efficient solutions, underscoring the commercial viability of sustainable real estate while adding quality housing stock to Nordhavn, one of Copenhagen’s most attractive and fastest-growing neighbourhoods.
Thomas Riise-Jakobsen, Head of Denmark: “This transaction marks a proud milestone for Urban Partners and demonstrates the power of private capital to accelerate scalable solutions for the challenges our cities face — from sustainable housing to energyefficient systems. As the demand for sustainable real estate continues to rise, Ripple Residence shows how ambitious, lowcarbon design using timber construction, geothermal heating, solar energy and smart microgrid controls can be delivered at scale and still be commercially attractive. At the same time, the building delivers much-needed housing to a high-demand area of Copenhagen. We are pleased to entrust it to a mission-aligned, long-term institutional owner.”
The project’s innovative sustainability profile, combined with the popularity of the local area, has driven strong demand for its homes. Ripple Residence comprises two multi-storey buildings with a total of 115 residential units and two commercial spaces. The first building was put on the market as a residential-to-sell proposition and its apartments were purchased in record time, underscoring the project’s strong market appeal. The second building is the property now being acquired by Proteus GmbH.
Benjamin Kurmulis, Head of Transactions, Proteus GmbH: “As a sustainability-driven, long-term investor and responsible landlord, Ripple Residence represents exactly the kind of asset we seek to own and operate for decades to come: high-quality homes with genuinely low-carbon performance. Our long-term perspective is centered on creating durable value through high-quality building substance, excellent operational standards, and places where people truly feel comfortable living. We are happy to further strengthen our Copenhagen portfolio with this lighthouse project for sustainable construction.”
Pushing the boundaries of sustainability in real estate Urban Partners has long been at the forefront of embedding climate-focused solutions into its business strategy to strengthen the long-term resilience and performance of its assets. The building’s advanced heating and cooling solutions, supported by geothermal heating, heat recovery, rooftop solar and a smart control that enables an on-site microgrid, deliver lower operating costs than traditional systems and make the building nearly self-sufficient in energy.
By using timber as the primary construction material and integrating advanced energy-efficient technologies, the building is expected to emit just 5 kg CO2 per sq m per year– about one-third lower than the Danish regulatory limits and fully aligned with the Paris Agreement.
The unique power of private capital to deliver urban solutions The project marks another milestone in the transformation of Nordhavn, where Urban Partners - together with partners such as City & Port – has played an instrumental role. A decade ago, the area stood as an industrial port on the outskirts of Copenhagen. Today, it is a vibrant neighbourhood with a growing and diverse population, underlining the critical role of private capital and strong local partnerships in successful urban regeneration. Currently, 6,000 people are living in Nordhavn with forecasts projecting nearly 40,000 residents in the years to come.
For further details, contact: Josefine Topsøe, Corporate Affairs, Urban Partners: +4521673965, jotop@urban.partners