Bahnhof Alexisbad to be Renovated: Gastronomy Planned - Historic Alexisbad Station Gets a Second Chance After Years of Decay
Alexisbad station in the Harz district is getting a new lease of life after years of neglect. Private investor Markus Hercher has purchased the historic building, with plans for a full renovation. The project aims to revive tourism in the Selke Valley and restore a key landmark that had fallen into disrepair.
The station was officially sold to Markus Hercher in December 2025, with ownership transferred on January 21, 2026. The agribusiness investor and car dealership owner from Bad Frankenhausen has a track record of large-scale investments, including thousands of hectares of farmland across Germany, including the Harz region.
Skan-Tours, a tourism group, will lead the restoration of the former spa retreat. The goal is to reverse the decline in visitor numbers, which had been deterred by the station’s deteriorating condition. Katrin Müller, managing director of Harz Narrow Gauge Railways (HSB), called the renovation a vital move for both the station and the wider tourism sector. The project is part of a larger push to develop the Selke Valley. This includes €7 million in infrastructure funding for the historic Logierhaus in Alexisbad. Despite a 2023 report suggesting the closure of the Selke Valley Railway, HSB has committed to keeping the line operational and continuing investments in the route. Hercher’s involvement has not been without controversy. In 2019, the Farmers’ Association named him ‘Locust of the Year,’ criticising his large-scale land acquisitions.
The renovation of Alexisbad station marks a turning point for the Selke Valley’s tourism industry. With private funding and a clear development plan, the historic building is set to reopen as a restored landmark. The project also signals ongoing investment in the region’s transport and heritage sites.
