BUCHBERG Opens, Transforming Munich’s Station Quarter
Munich, May 8, 2026 – The BUCHBERG, a new urban space that uniquely combines gastronomy, culture, and public areas, officially opened today at Karl-Stützel-Platz in Munich’s station quarter. This innovative project transforms former ski lift supports into an elevated plateau, offering a breezy outdoor seating area beneath the tree canopy, complemented by a ground-level kiosk.
The ski lift supports, once part of a drag lift in the Alpine foothills that enabled generations of Wackersberg and Tölz residents to learn skiing on the Buchberg, have found a new purpose. After their journey, these supports now stand among the existing plane trees of the Old Botanical Garden, holding up an elevated platform. This seemingly surprising intervention reveals a clear vision on-site: a new place to relax in the heart of Munich’s station quarter, offering an urban jungle ambiance.
Green, Recycled, and for Society
Sustainability is not just a concept here; it’s integral to the construction. BUCHBERG demonstrates how materials with a history can be repurposed into a new urban context, continuing to contribute to city life. What was once alpine infrastructure now allows citizens to gather under the green tree crowns of the Old Botanical Garden, experiencing a new place of respite – a blend of city and nature, daily life and escape. It stands as a successful example of the positive urban development Munich needs.
The Visionaries Behind BUCHBERG
The project is spearheaded by restaurateur Florian Schönhofer (Café Kosmos) and David Boppert, managing director of Münchner Kultur GmbH. The initiators had already introduced initial impulses to revitalize Karl-Stützel-Platz in the summer of 2024 with the “Die Null” project. BUCHBERG now follows as a long-term concept designed to permanently shape and develop the location year-round, extending beyond the summer months. Jonas Schönwälder and Leon Cubigsteltig are responsible for conceptual and operational management. The initiative was inspired by the “Taskforce Bahnhofsviertel,” led by District Administrative Officer Dr. Hanna Sammüller, who welcomed the enhancement of the area.
Food, Drink, and a Welcoming Atmosphere
Karl-Stützel-Platz and the surrounding area of the Old Botanical Garden have long been considered challenging locations. The city, in collaboration with the District Administrative Department, is working to sustainably improve the situation and open the space more to the urban community. BUCHBERG addresses this directly: not through displacement, but through new uses, presence, and a changed atmosphere. A differentiated usage concept consciously manages consumption: while non-alcoholic beverages are available at the kiosk window, access to alcoholic offerings is restricted to the elevated plateau. Diverse tastes are catered for, with a range of hot and cold drinks, cocktails, and mocktails.
A Space for Encounter and Culture
At its core, BUCHBERG is an open gathering place and social hub for everyone, including surrounding schools and social institutions like the adjacent Sophienstraße Playhouse. In addition to its gastronomic offerings, BUCHBERG will also provide space for cultural and musical events. The Munich Pub Choir, a staple of the local cultural scene, already provided musical accompaniment and atmospheric moments during the opening.
With today’s opening, what is emerging here has become visible for the first time: an urban place between city and nature, between everyday life and culture, right in the heart of Munich.
Further information about the BUCHBERG project can be found on its website and Instagram channel @dasbuchberg.
Address: Karl-Stützel-Platz 1, 80333 Munich
Source: nachrichten-muenchen.com
