Rheinauhafen Cologne - Hotspot or flop

When you think of Cologne, buzz words like carnival or social coziness come up, but not a beautiful city or good architecture.

‚At last something great’ I thought, when, after a long time, I crossed the Severins’bridge again and saw the new buildings of the Rheinauhafen dockyard living area.

Cologne has always been a port since its establishment by the Romans. Since 1892 the Rhine-shipping used this part of the waterside as a landing place and harbour area under the name “Rheinauhafen”.

The area was unused for years, until the “Bread and Butter” made use of one building and, in doing so, drew the city’s attention to the area. For it was about that time, that life at the waterside became popular – Barcelona, London, etc. gave a good example – the city decided to give it a new structure of utilisation, composed of habitation, living and working, whilst maintaining the character, especially in keeping the landmarked buildings, to the area.

The project developers wrote:

With this agreed mixture the Rheinauhafen is redesigned to become a lively and attractive part of Cologne. A special highlight will be the three so called “cranehouses”, which, in their appearence, resemble the historic heavy-lift cranes They will add to the Rhine-shore silhouette of Cologne and will be a special hotspot for the Rheinauhafen.

When I moved in back then, it all was different, of course. The second building that was completed, was the old granary, the ‘Siebengebirge’. I fell in love with its charme and the old construction with the new elements. It wasn’t really easy, but it worked out in the end and made me a proud resident with view on the Rhine.

On object truly made up with love, that exposes the old constructions and plays with charme. I really liked being there. Plus, the ships that passed during the day gave it a maritime feeling.

In general, the strucure of the quarter is interesting. Old buildings were wonderfully integrated in new building-structures. My personal highlight definitely is the Microsoft builidng with its curved shape. But also constructional highlights, like the longest underground parking which they simply built into the old port basin, or the new crane houses that totally changed the scenery, are well worth recognition.

The only thing lacking in the beginning, were the city’s people. A well known Eventmanager said: “the people of Cologne don’t come here. Everything that is further away from the Rudolfplatz than 3 stops, is ‘overseas’”. That was indeed the way it was in the beginning. But little by little the city’s people had to drop by and see that it is a fine place. In the early days, it was very quiet there – one almost felt like being all alone there. The first gastronomes were really good but also very pricey (Kap am Südkai, Rheingenuss). With companies moving in, this changed, too. An arabic Vapiano-concept, that is incredibly good, and also the Limani, which is always worth a visit.

With the galieries and companies like ‘facts and fiction’ it all receives a mixed character, that is not exchangable, but step by step becomes Cologne.

Other entrepreneurs have recognized that, too. For example Frankfurt’s Kingkamehameha Suite, which tried to gain foothold here but had to close down. The people of cologne are not chic or glamorous – we’re not Duesseldorf. I hope the new owner will be more successful with his Eventlocation. A small hint: engage someone who knows the city – someone from Cologne.

A friend of mine will soon move into the new highlight project – cranehouse no. 3 (the one, where Podolski...), which will be finalized this year. It’s been a long way to get to this goal and there was a lot he had to endure, but, in essence, it’s been just the same that people go through with other construction projects. The moment he can enjoy his view over the city and on the Dom, it’ll all be forgotten.

I am a bit proud that I, too, was able to contribute my share to the new harbour area. As part of the Team artotel Cologne, I was able to add to the design, which, with the opening on 15th March, became another highlight. All in all, I have to say that the harbour is well worth a visit.

Maybe it all takes another 10 years to be fully integrated.

In the end, Cologne is Cologne:

§ It’s the way it is

§ It’ll come what comes

§ It always turned out good in the end

xs

cosmo(politan) / the green week 2010 – the old will be new, again and again

the year started off nicely // in the ARTotel, building work continued and the set up of the exhibition stand for the country of brandenburg for the green week was due to be completed

luckily, I had my great team and the wonderful ph that mastered it magnificently (I met my biggest joy....) //

what I just didn't want to miss was the opening //

but there were other reasons: Berlin and cosmo, the new designhotel, and, one may not believe it, friends *lol //

after the flight had to be postponed again and again – the ARTotel was just being approved and I couldn't just disappear – I landed in snowy Tegel late at night //

I like the old airport // it is annoying, it takes long but it is a true landmark // I hope it won't be torn down in the future like everything else is for nice new worlds of living // I was slightly terrified to find out that ikea produces houses now, as well // where is this to end // omg

now, off to the cosmo // „cosmo?" the taxi driver asked // yes, the new hotel of the design group // it was a bit difficult to find the entrance since the logos hadn't been fitted until then// but they have now

once you're in the hotel, you recognize warm, very inviting colors and that the fabrics used provide a sense of comfort // the service is ideal // I can recommend corner rooms //

the entrance hall is held in a nice classical white // I like the gimmick with the lights // not too fussed about the door etc.

the bathroom is close to perfect // very nice are the special shower gels – their packaging is made bio-degradable – big plus //

they will surely do some minor things in the bathroom like the shower partition and the frost foil on the window // apart from that, the bath is great and spacious // the whole room is very nice all in all, as well // it makes one feel comfortable // the view on 'old-berlin' is always nice to look at

I didn't do much after that apart from having dinner in the lobby and go to bed

//… almost forgot to tell that t and s were there, which was a highlight // always nice to speak to them // right afterwards, I attended the reception to the 'green week', the fair in Berlin

The next morning I had breakfast with t // the juices are great, I love the ginger tea // all in all, simply a very nice breakfast buffet that leaves no whishes open, apart from a bit of structure

Great pictures on the wall, the art is well selected, the open plan kitchen is a true eyecatcher //

What I didn't quite get were the light-objects and the table cloths, considering they have these great tables, but… ok.

After that, I had to go and do my rounds at the fair // the country's exhibitors, rosi from bavarian cheese, all of them were there //

Right after the fair, I went on to tegel to pick up w, with whom I went on to caras, to meet a very talented young designer, our vic // one of the few how really know what it means to make design // on top of that: a testing for a new sportsdrink (tasty!)

Then, I went back to the cosmo // again, liked the shower and the shower gel // in the evening I went to a grill with s, t and w // dinner as always

Especially great was the ‚after-grill' cardio workout // bmw & snow = zero; why are they from bavaria anyway??? Mhh// oh well, we made it back home ok // thx, as well on ground as in the air

Well, the rest of my time in berlin was pretty much as always // pure shopping // what's a highlight though: 'the firmakosmetikset':))))) see and feel / grrr

What else to report? Well, the fair was a success and the contract was continued // also, a good gin tonic, lv disarm appointment and so forth … talk to you soon, I have to go open a hotel

Take care.

Rezzo