Munich, December 19, 2025 – The area surrounding Munich’s Central Station, previously known as the Bahnhofsviertel, has officially been rebranded as the ‘Central Quartier’. Dr. Christian Scharpf, Head of the Department for Labor and Economic Development for the City of Munich, announced the new name on December 19, 2025, to an audience of political, business, cultural, and media representatives. The German Theater Munich, a significant cultural institution within the district, hosted the announcement event.
New Name Reflects Dynamic Transformation and International Appeal
The renaming process was the culmination of a broad public participation initiative, which saw more than 600 suggestions submitted by Munich residents. An interdisciplinary jury subsequently selected ‘Central Quartier’. The chosen name aims to highlight the district’s central location and the international significance of the Central Station, often referred to as a ‘Central Station’ globally.
The district is currently undergoing significant transformation, driven by the expansion of the Central Station, the construction of the second S-Bahn main line, and the increasing importance of public mobility. The ‘Zukunft Bahnhofsviertel’ (Future Station District) initiative, which spearheaded the renaming, seeks to accompany this change with a shift in perspective: moving away from one-sided perceptions of a ‘station district’ towards an identity that integrates mobility, work, culture, and international life in the city center.
Over 600 Proposals, Nine Jury Votes, One Name
The motivation behind the renaming stems from a shared conviction among various stakeholders – including local committee chairs, cultural figures, tenant associations, and hoteliers – that the area around Munich’s Central Station offers more than what the traditional term ‘Bahnhofsviertel’ conveys. It requires an identity that reflects its ongoing evolution.
Dr. Christian Scharpf emphasized the broader significance for the city: “Munich’s Bahnhofsviertel is one of the most dynamic districts in our city. It is characterized by constant change and possesses considerable potential. The new name – Central Quartier – is intended to acknowledge all the positive changes taking place locally and to signal the district’s future viability.”
Benoît Blaser, Chairman of District Committee 2 (Ludwigsvorstadt-Isarvorstadt), echoed this sentiment: “The district is particularly close to my heart because it brings together vibrancy, diversity, and cultural richness. We in the district committee are committed to working with local residents to find solutions that will make the district future-proof.”
The name selection process, led by the ‘Zukunft Bahnhofsviertel’ initiative in collaboration with representatives from civil society, culture, business, and academia, focused on this future viability. The “Name it – Claim it” campaign, which ran from September 12 to October 17, 2025, encouraged Munich residents to submit their ideas, resulting in over 600 proposals, including “Münchner Herz,” “St. Paulsviertel,” and “München Mitte.”
Why a New Interpretation is Necessary
Nationwide, the term ‘Bahnhofsviertel’ often carries one-sided connotations that do not accurately represent what the district is today or what it aspires to be in Munich: a vibrant Central Business District with international companies, cultural diversity, and a global population. According to the jury, ‘Central Quartier’ combines the central location with the international appeal of the Central Station as a mobility hub. The name signifies ‘in the middle,’ ‘central,’ ‘lively,’ and ‘short distances.’ It aims to bridge local identity with global connectivity without competing with the Old Town.
Why a Name Now?
The area around Munich’s Central Station is poised for profound change. With the transformation of the Central Station into one of the most modern railway stations in the world and the second S-Bahn main line, daily passenger traffic is expected to almost double in the coming years, rising from approximately 450,000 to up to 850,000 passengers per day.
Concurrently, over 230,000 square meters of new office space are being created, international companies are establishing themselves, and the shift towards sustainable mobility is strengthening the importance of central, easily accessible locations. This upheaval is not only changing functions but also the role of this district for the entire city.
A name provides more than just orientation; it offers a common point of reference, makes identity visible, and enables identification during a period of high dynamism. ‘Central Quartier’ thus marks not just a place but an aspiration – the transition from an area primarily perceived as a thoroughfare to an urban center of city-wide significance.
From Centralbahnhof to Central Quartier
The name also connects to the historical importance of the district. As city historian Franz Schiermeier explained at the naming ceremony, a “new center for urban life” developed around the Centralbahnhof, which opened in 1849. This area was characterized by hotels, entertainment venues (theaters, variety shows, dance halls), and promenades.
After almost complete destruction in World War II, the character of the district fundamentally changed. ‘Central Quartier’ embraces the contemporary definition of a quarter: a manageable area with an identity-forming character, clearly demarcated from neighboring quarters such as the Wiesenviertel and Klinikviertel.
From Open Call to Name Decision
The interdisciplinary jury meticulously reviewed the proposals through a transparent, multi-stage process. Key criteria included future viability, communicative suitability, and the embodiment of central identity features such as ‘in the middle,’ ‘pulsating,’ ‘cosmopolitan,’ ‘arriving,’ and ‘inspiring.’ These criteria were developed in workshops with local stakeholders.
Several names were shortlisted, including “Münchner Herz,” “München Mitte,” and “Central Quartier.” All proposals originated from the citizenry. The jury comprised representatives from urban planning, the district committee, culture, business, hospitality, academia, and civil society. They ultimately chose ‘Central Quartier’ as a name that combines historical context with a contemporary self-image. The ‘C’ spelling reflects both the international character and the historical designation of the ‘Central-Bahnhof’.
From Charter to Implementation
The “Zukunft Bahnhofsviertel” initiative brings together numerous real estate companies and other businesses from the district. Together, they have developed a voluntary commitment: a charter that defines concrete measures for the quarter’s development. These include primary measures to improve safety and cleanliness, such as transparent, inviting ground-floor zones with gastronomy, culture, and retail, improved lighting in previously dark areas, facade and roof greening to enhance the microclimate, the creation of public spaces, and the regular maintenance of adjacent public areas.
What’s Next?
With its new name, the district gains a clear identity that will serve as a binding framework for its further development. It provides orientation and reliability and forms the common basis for implementing the defined goals. Within this framework, the measures formulated in the initiative will be progressively integrated into projects and public spaces. Thus, the name becomes a vehicle for a long-term process that visibly advances quality, amenity value, and responsibility in the district.
About the “Zukunft Bahnhofsviertel” Initiative
The “Zukunft Bahnhofsviertel” initiative originated from research projects at TUM and unites companies from the district. It brings together representatives from civil society, research and educational institutions, cultural organizations (Deutsches Theater, Thea Kulturklub), associations (Südliches Bahnhofsviertel e.V.), hospitality (DEHOGA), real estate, gastronomy, and retail. The goal is a sustainable transformation in the interest of the entire urban society.
Further information: Name it – Claim it, www.central-quartier-muenchen.de
Jury Members
- Arne Lorz (PLAN)
- Benoît Blaser (Chairman of BA 2 Ludwigsvorstadt-Isarvorstadt)
- Marie Therese Krüger-Rahn (representing Kurt Kapp) (Department for Labor and Economic Development)
- Martin Störzer (1st Deputy Chairman of the DEHOGA Munich District Office)
- Reinhard Sigel (Chairman of Südliches Bahnhofsviertel e.V.)
- Jennifer Becker (Chairwoman of the Thea Kulturklub)
- Thomas Linsmayer (Managing Director of the Deutsches Theater München)
- Prof. Dr. Klaus Sailer (Head of Entrepreneurship Center, Hochschule München)
- Monika Schmid-Balzert (Deputy Managing Director, DMB Mieterverein München e.V.)
Statements from the Jury and Partners on the Name Announcement:
Thomas Linsmayer, Managing Director of the Deutsches Theater München: “It’s lively, international, urban, and diverse here. That’s what makes it so fascinating. In the midst of this quarter lies the Deutsches Theater, one of the city’s most frequently visited and largest cultural institutions. As a cultural magnet, this institution gladly contributes to the positive development of the district.”
Prof. Dr. Klaus Sailer, Head of Entrepreneurship Center, Hochschule München: “The name-finding process was surprisingly lively: many Munich residents contributed creative, witty, and even unusual ideas. During the selection, it quickly became clear how diverse the expectations are – from residents to businesses, hoteliers, and international guests. Precisely for this reason, I feel that we have found a name that could work for everyone.”
Martin Störzer, 1st Deputy Chairman of the DEHOGA Munich District Office: “The Central Station is a central hub and economic location in our state capital. For guests from all over the world, the district is often the gateway to the city. As hoteliers, we want to contribute to keeping it hospitable and vibrant.”
Rainer Knapek, Managing Director and City Lead Munich, CBRE: “For several years now, companies looking for a new location have increasingly been asking for modern office spaces in a central location with excellent accessibility. This is precisely where we see the great potential of the Bahnhofsviertel (Central Quartier), especially with the prospect of completing what will be the most modern station in Europe. This potential has been recognized early on by investors and project developers, in addition to companies already located in the district such as Apple and Bayr. Rundfunk. Currently, approx. 230,000 sqm of office space are under construction or in the concrete planning phase. Initial successes were already evident during the construction phase of the ‘The Stack’ project on Goethestraße through leases to Novartis, and the international law firms Pinsent Masons and Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan. For 2026, we expect an increase in leases, especially in the then completed properties such as B.Munich, directly on the station forecourt. We are delighted that ‘Central Quartier’ has been chosen as a name that, on the one hand, defines the location and, on the other hand, will contribute to a clear, sustainable identification of the district.”
Source: deal-magazin.com
