“Metamorphosis” is a big word. But it perfectly describes what happened at Alter Wall 2-32. This is near Hamburg’s Town Hall. We are standing in front of Alter Zielturm.
Let me tell you about the transformation here. Art-Invest Real Estate bought this row of buildings in 2014. Their goal was to bring life back to this central location. It once thrived as Große Burstah in Nikolaiviertel. It also was bustling at Alter Wall. This area stretched between Rathausmarkt and Adolphsplatz.
GMP von Gerkan, Marg and Partners Architects designed the refurbishment. They worked with the client and Hamburg’s town planners. They also consulted preservation officers. Together, they developed a comprehensive plan. This conversion covered the entire city block. The block had historic monument protection.
A new connection was created. It links Nikolaiquartier in the southeast to the business district. This district includes Neuer Wall and Große Bleichen in the northwest. The route goes through the pedestrianized Rathaushof and Alter Wall. It continues via the Bucerus Arcades. Finally, it crosses the Marion-Gräfin-Dönhoff Bridge. This bridge spans the Alsterfleet. This created a new attractive route. It connects the inner city’s business hubs. These hubs include political institutions and the stock exchange. It also connects the new Bucerius Art Forum.
The Bucerius Art Forum was moved. It now sits at the crossover point in the building row’s center. An underground parking garage was built. This keeps the pedestrian boulevard car-free. The protected facades were restored. They were modified to make shops and restaurants accessible. The small, dark courtyards were merged. They formed one large space. The second floor now has an atrium with a glass roof. It’s available for events.
The building opposite Rathausmarkt is fully protected. This Alter Zielturm building underwent extensive refurbishment. This preserved its historic features. Until 2019, the Bucerius Art Forum occupied it. Now, it houses a flagship store across four stories.
The refurbishment revealed a hidden gem. In the Reichsbank’s foyer, a bricked-up “room in the room” was discovered. This room features mosaic embellishments. Pillars support it. It extends through four stories. A glass roof covers it under a light well. This is the Oktogon. Suspended ceilings and partition walls had hidden this central element. Careful work restored it to its former beauty.
Other features were revived. The historic marble stairwell shines again. The neoclassical Muschelkalk facade was restored. The entire row of buildings at Alter Wall 2-32 was part of this project. This included restoration, new extensions, and upgrades to the surrounding area. The Alter Zielturm now stands as a testament. It shows how historic architecture can be reborn. It adds vibrancy to Hamburg’s heart.