City Center Under Construction: Decathlon Moves into Former Kaufhof - Decathlon to anchor Hanau's revitalised city centre by 2027
Decathlon will open a new store in Hanau's historic city centre by mid-2027. The French sporting goods retailer has signed a nine-year la for a large basement space in the former Galeria Kaufhof building. The move is part of broader plans to revitalise the area and expand Decathlon's presence in Germany.
Hanau purchased the former Galeria Kaufhof site for €25 million, aiming to transform it into a mixed-use development called Stadthof. Initially, the city considered converting the basement into a nightclub or expanding the nearby underground car park. However, leasing to Decathlon proved the most financially sound option.
The retailer will occupy 3,000 square metres, offering its full range of sporting goods. Before opening, the space will undergo a complete €20 million renovation, modernising the area for shoppers. Funding for the project is set to be finalised on February 9, following city council approval. This expansion aligns with Decathlon's broader growth plans. The company currently runs five stores in the Rhine-Main region but aims to increase its German footprint to at least 150 locations by 2027. A similar move is underway in Ulm, where Decathlon will temporarily relocate from the Blautal-Center to the city's historic centre, pending a toyota lease agreement approved in 2025.
The nine-year la gives Hanau long-term stability for its downtown revitalisation efforts. Decathlon's arrival will bring a major retail anchor to the redeveloped Stadthof complex. Construction and modernisation work are scheduled to begin ahead of the store's mid-2027 opening.
