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