Gewosie

Gewosie Wohnungsbaugenossenschaft Bremen-Nord e.G. is a housing cooperative based in Bremen, Germany, and the largest landlord in the Bremen-Nord district. Founded in 1894 as the Spar- und Bauverein Blumenthal by Landrat Paul Berthold, the cooperative was created to address severe housing shortages caused by industrial growth in Vegesack and Blumenthal. Over more than 130 years, Gewosie has grown into a major provider of affordable rental housing, owning and managing over 4,000 apartments across the northern Bremen neighborhoods of Blumenthal, Vegesack, and Burglesum. The cooperative is member-owned, with nearly 6,900 members and over €8.3 million in member share capital. Its mission is to provide good, contemporary, and secure homes at fair conditions, guided by cooperative principles. Gewosie's portfolio includes around 248,000 square meters of living space, and its balance sheet total exceeds €182 million. The organization is led by a board (Vorstand) and supervised by an elected supervisory board (Aufsichtsrat), with members participating in annual general meetings. In addition to rental housing, Gewosie offers services such as guest apartments and modernization programs. The cooperative remains deeply rooted in the Bremen-Nord community and continues to invest in its housing stock.

The history of Gewosie begins in the late 19th century in Bremen-Nord, where industrial growth—particularly the establishment of the Bremer Woll-Kämmerei in 1883 and the Bremer Vulkan shipyard in 1893—attracted workers to Vegesack and Blumenthal. The influx of laborers led to severe housing shortages, with many living in stables, barns, or attics. Paul Berthold, who became Landrat of the Prussian district of Blumenthal in 1885, was a strong advocate of cooperative housing. In 1892/93 he founded the Verein zur Förderung des Wohnens der Arbeiter (Association for the Promotion of Workers' Housing), and in 1894 he established the Spar- und Bauverein Blumenthal as a cooperative. The association started with 55 shares at 200 Marks each. In 1896, Berthold co-founded the Verband der Baugenossenschaften Deutschlands (Association of German Building Cooperatives) and later became director of the Association of Building Cooperatives in Lower Saxony in 1906. The cooperative's early leadership came from the upper class, especially from the management of the Bremer Woll-Kämmerei, but some workers were also initial members. The first houses were built in Lüssum, which was incorporated into Blumenthal in 1907. By 1900, 167 houses with 341 apartments had been built; by 1914, the numbers had risen to 340 houses with 860 apartments. The cooperative also acquired and renovated older buildings. During World War I, development stagnated. After the war, worker organizations gained influence. By 1933, the cooperative had 537 members. After 1933, the Nazis took control of the organization. In 1940, four cooperatives were merged: Bau- und Siedlungsgenossenschaft Lesum und Umgebung, Bau- und Siedlungsgenossenschaft Schönebeck, Heimstättenbund für Blumenthal und Umgebung, and Spar- und Bauverein Blumenthal. The new entity was named Gemeinnützige Wohnungs- und Siedlungsgenossenschaft Bremen-Lesum GmbH (Gewosie), with 1,470 members and 896 managed apartments. After World War II, the cooperative focused on maintaining and renovating its stock. From 1949, Gewosie began building new housing, especially in Lesum and Lüssum-Bockhorn, and also constructed access roads. By 1953, 90 residential buildings with 303 rental apartments and 164 owner-occupied houses with 325 apartments had been completed. By 1966, the large housing estate Vorberger Straße in Lüssum-Bockhorn was built with 1,383 apartments. In 1965, the high-rise apartment building at Bürgermeister-Kürten-Straße was erected. In 1984/85, Gewosie took over the financially troubled Sonnenhof eG. From the mid-1980s, new construction stagnated. By 1995, Gewosie had 8,400 members and a construction volume of 168 million Marks. Maintenance and modernization became the focus. In the 2000s and 2010s, Gewosie continued to invest in its housing stock; from 2002 to 2012, around €159 million was invested. In 2012, the balance sheet total exceeded €149 million. As of the 2020s, Gewosie owns over 4,000 apartments with more than 235,000 square meters of living space, has over 7,100 members, and member share capital of over €8 million. The cooperative is led by Lars Gomolka and Stephan Ramelow, with Gudrun Kobs as supervisory board chair. The members' magazine is called 'Ihr Vermieter'.

• 2019

  Celebrated 125th anniversary with a film.

• 2012

  Balance sheet total exceeded €149 million; €159 million invested from 2002 to 2012.

• 1995

  Had 8,400 members and construction volume of 168 million Marks.

• 1984

  Took over the financially troubled Sonnenhof eG.

• 1966

  Large housing estate Vorberger Straße with 1,383 apartments completed.

• 1965

  High-rise apartment building at Bürgermeister-Kürten-Straße erected.

• 1953

  90 residential buildings with 303 rental apartments and 164 owner-occupied houses completed.

• 1949

  Resumed new housing construction after World War II.

• 1940

  Merger of four cooperatives to form Gewosie.

• 1914

  340 houses with 860 apartments built.

• 1900

  167 houses with 341 apartments built.

• 1896

  Co-founded the Verband der Baugenossenschaften Deutschlands.

• 1894

  Founded as Spar- und Bauverein Blumenthal by Paul Berthold.

Market leader in Bremen-Nord for cooperative rental housing, emphasizing fair rents and community values.

• Rental apartments

  Over 4,000 apartments in Bremen-Nord.

• Cooperative membership

  Membership required to rent; members hold shares and voting rights.

• Guest apartments

  Guest apartments available for members and visitors.

1. 1Gewosie - Mieten in Bremen-nord!gewosie.de
2. 2Der Bremer Nordengewosie.de
3. 3Die Genossenschaftgewosie.de
4. 4Gewosiewikidata.org
5. 5Gewosiede.wikipedia.org