Hanover: Mertesacker's luxury villa sold for under 5 million euros

Per Mertesacker's villa was expected to fetch €8.5 million. In the end, it didn't even reach €5 million. Why the dream of a record price was shattered.

The real estate sale of the year in Hanover turned into an expensive flop: Football World Cup winner Per Mertesacker was forced to sell his luxury villa in Hanover-Döhren for far less than its value. Instead of the targeted €8.5 million, the property changed hands for just €4.875 million – a loss of more than €3 million.

The spacious single-family home was built as a prestige project on the edge of the Leinemasch River. The 875-square-meter new building, with 18 rooms and six bathrooms, is located on a plot of almost 2,500 square meters. Designed as a flexible multi-generational home, it was intended to set new standards for luxury real estate in the region.

But the first attempt to sell the house failed due to the excessive price. Despite numerous interested parties viewing the house, no buyer was found for the eight million euros. Even the international marketing through the renowned auction house Sotheby's in London failed to bring the hoped-for breakthrough.

The winning bid was received before the live auction. No further bidders responded during the actual auction. The anonymous buyer from Germany paid just over five million euros, including all additional costs – the equivalent of approximately 5,500 euros per square meter.

Despite the significant loss, the real estate agency is pleased with the result. Sotheby's representative Magda Provenzano emphasizes that this is the most expensive single-family home sale in Hanover in recent years. Per Mertesacker and his family will continue to live in London.