Berlin's new cluster apartments redefine affordable shared living for 2026
Berlin's municipal housing provider WBM is introducing a new housing concept to address the city's growing demand for affordable living. The first cluster apartments, located in Köpenicker Straße at 'Quartier Lilienthal', are now open for registration. These units aim to blend shared living with greater privacy than traditional shared flats.
The development, set for completion in July 2026, will feature eight cluster apartments. Each unit spans roughly 205 square metres, offering seven bedrooms, multiple bathrooms, a combined living and dining area, and two loggias. Unlike standard shared flats, these apartments target pre-existing shared households, requiring groups to apply together.
WBM is also partnering with STATTBAU Stadtentwicklungsgesellschaft to create a matching platform. This will help individuals without an existing shared household find compatible flatmates. Even after move-in, the household remains involved in organisational tasks, such as finding replacements if a resident leaves. Matthias Borowski, WBM's press spokesperson, describes cluster apartments as a modern response to Berlin's shifting housing needs. The concept balances affordability with privacy, catering to those who want more independence than traditional shared living offers. Beyond this project, WBM plans to build 1,200 additional cluster apartments across Berlin by 2028. Neighbourhoods like Neukölln, Wedding, and Tempelhof-Schöneberg will see these developments, with a focus on providing affordable housing for vulnerable groups.
The first cluster apartments at 'Quartier Lilienthal' are scheduled to open in mid-2026. Registration is now live, with priority given to established shared households. WBM's long-term expansion aims to ease Berlin's housing pressure while offering a flexible, community-oriented living solution.
