Urban Partners divests Danish low-carbon housing asset to Proteus

European urban investor Urban Partners has sold its pioneering low-carbon housing development, Ripple Residence in Copenhagen, to the German sustainability-focused real estate investor, Proteus.

Ripple Residence, Nordhaven, Copenhagen

Ripple Residence is designed to achieve exceptionally low carbon emissions and high energy efficiency, demonstrating the profitability of sustainable real estate. Located in Copenhagen's desirable Nordhavn district, the project includes 115 residential units and two commercial spaces across two buildings. The apartments in the first building sold quickly, and Proteus is acquiring the second building.
The development prioritises sustainability by using timber as its main construction material and incorporating advanced energy-saving technologies. This is expected to result in annual CO2 emissions of just 5 kg per square meter, significantly below Danish limits and in line with the Paris Agreement. Urban Partners has consistently integrated climate-focused solutions into its strategy to enhance asset performance. The building's advanced heating and cooling systems, including geothermal heating, heat recovery, rooftop solar panels, and a smart microgrid, enable near energy self-sufficiency and lower operating costs.
Thomas Riise-Jakobsen, head of Denmark, said: “This transaction marks a proud milestone for Urban Partners and demonstrates the power of private capital to accelerate scalable solutions for the challenges our cities face — from sustainable housing to energy-efficient systems. As the demand for sustainable real estate continues to rise, Ripple Residence shows how ambitious, low-carbon design using timber construction, geothermal heating, solar energy and smart microgrid controls can be delivered at scale and still be commercially attractive.”
Benjamin Kurmulis, Head of Transactions, Proteus, added: “As a sustainability-driven, long-term investor and responsible landlord, Ripple Residence represents exactly the kind of asset we seek to own and operate for decades to come: high-quality homes with genuinely low-carbon performance. Our long-term perspective is centred on creating durable value through high-quality building substance, excellent operational standards, and places where people truly feel comfortable living.”
This project represents a significant step forward in the redevelopment of the former industrial port Nordhavn, a transformation influenced by Urban Partners and collaborators like City & Port. Nordhavn currently houses 6,000 residents, with projections indicating that nearly 40,000 people will live there in the future.