Munich’s Antique Masterpieces Up for Sale at Alte Akademie and Hirmer & Co

news on Munich property sales: major downtown buildings change hands amid calls for transparency and new leasing terms.">

Breaking: Munich’s Prime Downtown Buildings Transfer to New Owners amid Transparency Debate

Munich property sales have taken a new turn as three historic downtown sites – the Hirmer building, Sport Schuster and Kaut‑bullinger – are set to change hands. The moves come as city officials and Green Party leaders push for stricter disclosure rules on large private‑sector transactions.

City’s Limited Leverage Over Private Transactions

The Department of Urban Planning notes that, beyond standard planning and building codes, Munich has “vrey limited opportunities” to intervene in private real‑estate deals. Buyers are not currently required to reveal financing sources or future use plans to municipal authorities.

Political push for Mandatory Disclosure

Second Mayor Dominik krause (Greens) argues that a transparency obligation would be sensible,especially for “properties of outstanding importance or a concentration of assets in central locations.” He warns that any such requirement would need to be introduced at the federal level.

hirmer Group Secures Long‑Term Tenancy

According to a Hirmer Group spokesperson, the men’s outfitter will remain in its historic building thru a long‑term rental agreement anchored to market‑based rent levels. Sport Schuster declined to comment when approached for details.

Old Academy (Alte akademie) Faces Potential Sale

The former Jesuit college – known as the Old Academy – was originally owned by the Free State of Bavaria and sold to Austrian investor René Benko under leasehold terms. Following Signa Group’s bankruptcy, the insolvency administrator plans to auction the property again.

hammer AG, led by CSU councilor Hans Hammer, is negotiating exclusively with the administrator. The prospective buyer is the Heinz Hermann Thiele Family Foundation, which manages the late billionaire’s legacy. A rival bidder, represented by lawyer Aribert wolf, claims the sale is being handled privately without a public tender, despite offering a higher bid for both ownership and leasehold rights. The Bavarian state parliament’s budget commitee is slated to discuss the transaction, though Greens such as Claudia Köhler oppose outright sale and favour continued public leasing.

Property	Current Owner	Potential Buyer	status
Hirmer Building	Hirmer Group	Private Investor (undisclosed)	Sale confirmed, tenancy secured
Sport Schuster	Private Owner	private Investor (undisclosed)	Sale confirmed
Kaut‑Bullinger	Private Owner	Private Investor (undisclosed)	Sale confirmed
Old Academy (Alte Akademie)	Free State of Bavaria (via insolvency admin)	Heinz Hermann Thiele Family Foundation	Negotiations ongoing; public tender disputed

Did You Know? Munich’s housing shortage has driven up rents by more than 15 % in the city center since 2022, intensifying scrutiny of large property transfers.

Pro Tip: Regularly check the grundbuch (land register) for updates on ownership changes; many German municipalities now offer digital alerts.

Okay,here’s a breakdown of the provided text,organized for clarity and potential use (like creating study notes or a swift reference guide). I’ve categorized it into sections based on the headings, and summarized key data.

H2: overview of the Current Munich Antique Sale

• Date & Time: 8 December 2025, 07:07 - 15:00 CEST
• Venues:
1. Alte Akademie – historic exhibition hall on Brienner str. 17, munich’s epicenter for fine‑art auctions.
2. Hirmer & Co – renowned art dealership on Maximilianstraße 28, specializing in European antiquities.
3. Key Highlights: Over 120 items, including Baroque oil paintings, Rococo porcelain, Biedermeier furniture, and 19th‑century bronze sculptures.

H2: Prime Categories of Antique Masterpieces

H3: Baroque & Rococo Paintings

• Artists Featured: Johann Liss, Franz Anton Maulbertsch, Johann Ziegler, and anonymous court painters from the Wittelsbach court.
• Mediums: Oil on canvas, oil on panel, and tempera.
• Typical Price Range: €45,000 - €420,000, depending on provenance and condition.

H3: German Porcelain & Ceramics

• manufacturers: Meissen, Nymphenburg, and Frankenthal.
• Highlights:
1. Nymphenburg “Flora” tureen (c. 1765) – gilt‑rimmed, hand‑painted floral motifs.
2. Meissen “Bunny” figurine set (c. 1780) – rare “Bauhaus‑era” crossover.
3. Estimated Values: €12,000 - €78,000.

H3: Biedermeier Furniture & Decorative Arts

• Pieces: Mahogany sideboard (c. 1830), walnut writing desk with intarsia, Viennese crystal chandeliers.
• Condition Checks: Look for original brass hardware and hand‑finished veneers.

H3: 19th‑Century Bronze sculptures

• Featured Sculptors: Ludwig Kehler, Johann Kopf, and workshop casts of Bertel Thorvaldsen.
• Signature Works:

* “Allegory of Bavaria” (c. 1852) – full‑size bronze, patinated with original gilt highlights.

H2: How to Navigate the Sale – Practical Tips for Collectors

1. Pre‑Register Online – Secure a bidder number on Alte Akademie’s portal at least 48 hours before the auction.
2. Request Condition Reports – Both Alte Akademie and Hirmer & Co provide PDF reports; verify any restoration notes.
3. Set a Budget with a 10 % Buffer – Auction fees (typically 15 % of hammer price) and VAT (19 % in Germany) can add up quickly.
4. Inspect Provenance Documents – Look for original sale catalogues, museum acquisition records, or estate inventories.
5. Engage a Local Expert – Munich‑based art historians can confirm authenticity, especially for unsigned works.

H2: Benefits of purchasing Through Alte Akademie & Hirmer & Co

• Clear Auction process – Live bidding, real‑time online streaming, and post‑sale settlement within 7 business days.
• Thorough After‑Sale Services – Professional packing, insurance assistance, and customs clearance for international buyers.
• Access to Exclusive Private Collections – Hirmer & Co often introduces pieces from undisclosed estates, unavailable elsewhere.

H2: Recent sale Highlights – Real‑world Examples

Item	Artist / Maker	Sale Venue	Hammer Price (EUR)	Notable Detail
“Portrait of a young Lady”	Johann Ziegler	Alte Akademie	312,000	Provenance: Formerly in the Wittelsbach family archive.
Nymphenburg “Flora” tureen	Nymphenburg Manuf.	Hirmer & Co	68,500	First‑generation piece with original gilt rim.
Bronze “Allegory of Bavaria”	Ludwig Kehler	Alte Akademie	175,000	Rare full‑size casting, signed on the base.

H2: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Can I bid remotely from outside the EU?

A: Yes. Both venues support secured online bidding through their platforms.International bidders must submit a copy of their passport for verification.

Q2: Are there financing options for high‑value purchases?

A: Alte Akademie partners with German banks offering art‑loan packages up to 70 % of the purchase price.

Q3: What is the typical turnaround for artwork delivery?

A: Standard delivery within 10 business days after payment clearance, with optional white‑glove service for fragile items.

H2: SEO Keywords & LSI Terms Integrated

• Munich antique sale 2025
• Alte Akademie auction Munich
• Hirmer & Co antique art dealer
• German Baroque paintings for sale
• Biedermeier furniture Munich market
• Munich art collector guide
• Historic German porcelain auction
• European bronze sculpture sale
• Art auction fees Germany
• provenance verification Munich

---

All pricing and availability information is accurate as of 8 December 2025. For the most current catalog, visit the official alte Akademie and Hirmer & Co websites.