Remarkable isn’t it? This building before us the Depot Immermannstraße. It wasn’t always a vibrant hub for art and culture.
The Depot Immermannstraße has a rich history. It began as a tram depot. Dortmund’s tram system switched from horse-drawn to electric. New trams needed a place to be stored and repaired. The city took over public transport. This depot was built near the first tram line. A tram shed and office building appeared. Another shed was added later. Then between 1915 and 1916 something truly impressive was created. Architects Karl Pinno and Philipp Bachmann designed the central workshop for Dortmund’s trams.
This impressive workshop survived two World Wars almost unscathed. It became a symbol of the city’s resilience. It stands as a testament to industrial architecture at the end of the 19th century. The Dortmund city works closed the depot in 1973. Yet the workshop remained open until 1996. After that the city needed a new plan. They partnered with a cultural initiative Depot Dortmund. It became a center for crafts art media and the community.
The Depot Immermannstraße is a striking single-story building. It has a beautiful neoclassical brick facade. It’s 87 meters long and 89 meters deep. The central section is a massive hall 89 meters long 15 meters wide and about 10 meters high at the peak. Sliding gates once moved trams into the different workshops. The hall’s roof is held up by a unique steel framework. It’s a rare design with double angles. You won’t find this in modern buildings. That’s one reason the building was listed as a historical monument in 1990.
The transformation into a cultural center happened between 1997 and 2001. Original features remain visible. They’re part of the new design. Today the Depot Immermannstraße houses around 40 individuals companies and organizations. Architects designers and artists work here. There’s a theater a cinema galleries and offices. The Depot hosts markets exhibitions workshops and more. It’s a lively place filled with creative energy. It’s a perfect example of industrial heritage repurposed for the 21st century. A true success story.