German soccer giants eye increased city centre presence. Getty Images German soccer giants Bayern Munich have announced plans to open an expansive new retail space and hotel in the city centre by December 2020 in a bid to increase brand exposure. The planned 3,500 square metre FC Bayern Welt project in downtown Munich is currently being constructed behind a façade based on the historic building built in 1872 that stands at the Weinstrasse location. The concept has been established alongside development owner Nymphenburg Immobilien AG and Hild and K Architects. Spread over seven floors, the development will house the largest ever Bayern store, spread over three floors; two restaurants; a 30-room Bavarian-style boutique hotel; plus an event and meeting location. The contract for the rental property has already been signed by Bayern chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge as well as Jörg Wacker, the club’s chief internationalisation and strategy officer. Club partner DO & CO, an Austrian company which runs the hospitality at the Allianz Arena, will be responsible for the new Bavarian and international restaurants, the boutique hotel and the entire event location. Wacker said of the project: "The entire property is going to be spectacular and shows the solidarity of FC Bayern with its hometown of Munich and Bavaria. For our brand it is important that this extraordinary project is created in the top location of the city centre. ““Now at one of the most beautiful squares in the old town - between the cathedral and the town hall - our visitors, Munich residents and all fans of FC Bayern will have a new meeting point with the flagship store, the boutique hotel and the two restaurants." Currently the Bundesliga club concentrate all their activity around the Allianz Arena on the outskirts of the city but with this project are clearly making a play to become more visible in the centre of Munich. Commercially Bayern are currently very busy, with president Uli Hoeness having now confirmed that the reported deal with locally-based car manufacturer BMW is happening: "It is a very important need for me to say, yes, we have an agreement with BMW for the future. Both in basketball and in soccer.” On the pitch, Bayern took over top spot in the Bundesliga on Saturday with a 6-0 win over Wolfsburg and face Liverpool in the key second leg of their Uefa Champions League last 16 tie on Wednesday.
FC Bayern Munich ##sch Karl - und Rummenigge has signed the lease on what will become a hotel and retail space in the city 's centre , scheduled to open by December 2020 .