Markus Beike has headed up the development of Christie + Co’s German operations as Managing Director since 2003. Key achievements since his appointment have included the opening of new offices such as Berlin and Munich, the development of an advisory and valuations team, and the completion of more than 150 hotel transactions during the past three years.

Markus started his professional career 25 years ago with an apprenticeship as a qualified hotelier at Steigenberger. Subsequently, he was employed as an assistant to the executive board at Kempinski and worked as a analyst in the credit risk management of Deutsche Bank. Before joining Christie + Co, Markus Beike held the position of a manager in the corporate finance team at Arthur Andersen. Markus holds a certificate as a qualified hotelier from the German Chamber of Commerce, Hotelfachmann (IHK), a graduate business diploma, Diplombetriebswirt (FH), and a special degree in property business (EBS). He is also a Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

Markus also regularly lectures at Technische Universität Berlin, Universität Wuppertal and Maastricht Hotel School.

Berlin Office >

Philipp Kraneis was one of the very first people to join Christie + Co´s German team in 1999. As Head of Investment Germany, he is responsible for corporate transactions across the country. He also oversees the transaction departments in Frankfurt and Munich.

Philipp specialises in working with open- and closed-end funds, multiple ownership structures and NPL transactions. During his time with Christie + Co, he has successfully negotiated more than 130 freehold and leasehold hotel deals. Highlights include the sale of several hotel portfolios operated under various brands and the successful disposal of the Maritim Hotel in Hamburg, one of the largest single-asset deals completed in Germany in recent years. Philipp has worked in the property sector for over 14 years, holding various positions in the hotel sector with a number of well-known companies, such as Kempinski, where he worked before joining Christie + Co. Philipp Kraneis was appointed Director in 2006.

Frankfurt Office >

Armin Bruckmeier joined Christie + Co in 2004 and is based in its Munich Office. As a Director and Head of Advisory & Valuation Services, he is responsible for the development of the German advisory and valuations department. Prior to joining Christie + Co, he worked for several years at PKF International, the business advisory firm.

Armin has an extensive knowledge of different hotel types as well as non-hotel accommodation. His current role includes the creation of feasibility studies and valuation reports, verifying operating contracts, strategic consulting for both existing properties (single assets and portfolios), as well as overseeing development projects throughout Germany and Europe. He also worked on a number of care and restaurant-related projects.

Armin holds a Diplom-Betriebswirt (FH) degree in Economics, specialising in Tourism, from the University of Applied Sciences in Munich. He also holds a special degree in Real Estate (Immobilienökonom IREBS) and is a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. Armin has authored several articles on hotel valuation and other hotel-related topics.

Munich Office >

Torsten Scholl started his career with Christie + Co in 2004 and is based in its Berlin office. He was integral in the development of Christie + Co’s business in northern and eastern Germany, establishing an experienced team of specialists with an unrivalled knowledge of their local market.

In 2007 he was made responsible for setting up the company’s Hamburg office. Torsten has completed a number of notable transactions during his time with the company, including the sale of the Le Méridien Hotel in Hamburg-Stillhorn to Fattal Hotels, and the sale of the Kempinski Hotel in Halle/Saale to Aurum AG, a company owned by the German entrepreneur Hans Rudolf Wöhrl, on behalf of an NPL servicer. Torsten has also been involved in a number of healthcare projects across the country.

He holds a graduate business diploma — Diplom-Betriebsökonom (BI), a special degree in Real Estate Investment Banking — Real Estate M&A Advisor (ebs) and is certified as a property consultant by the German Chamber of Commerce — Immobilien Consultant (IHK).

Hamburg Office >

Pia joined Christie + Co in March 2001. She is responsible for internal and external communications in Germany, including press and media relations, organising events and exhibitions, and coordinating all kinds of print and online marketing.

Pia was instrumental in setting up and developing the German versions of the company’s websites, and helps to enhance brand awareness and improve the Christie image in Germany. Before joining Christie + Co, she worked in the gastronomic sector and the tourism industry. Pia has a vast knowledge of client and corporate communications, and is fluent in German, English and Italian. In 2008, she was appointed Communications Director for Germany.

Pia Andrews is a translator/interpreter for English and a Fachwirtin Public Relations (IHK) – a Bachelor of Public Relations from the Chamber of Industry and Commerce.

Frankfurt Office >