Beiersdorf Site Transformation: 850 New Homes Amidst Resident Concerns
Hamburg, July 27 – The former Beiersdorf site in Hamburg-Eimsbüttel is slated for a significant transformation over the next nine years, with plans to construct approximately 850 new residential units. This ambitious undertaking represents one of Hamburg’s largest urban development projects, but it has also sparked considerable apprehension among local residents regarding potential shortages of living and parking space.
Major Urban Development Project to Reshape Eimsbüttel
The redevelopment will profoundly alter the visual landscape of the Eimsbüttel district. The new residential blocks are planned to be five to eight stories high, largely mirroring the existing administrative buildings. However, the project also includes two high-rise buildings reaching up to 14 stories. The new quarter will offer a diverse range of housing, including large apartments for families, smaller units for singles, and age-friendly residences.
Residents Express Concerns Over Increased Density
Eimsbüttel is already one of Hamburg’s most densely populated districts, and the prospect of further densification is a major concern for many residents. Barbara König, a local resident, voiced her worries to NDR reporter Nico Stubbe, stating, “It’s already incredibly difficult to find space here, and now another 2,000 people are coming. How is that supposed to work?” Another neighbor, Barbara Liskow, added, “It’s going to be very crowded, the park will be very crowded, and what also bothers me is the high-rise construction with 14 floors.”
Parking Solutions and Public Participation
Out of the 850 new rental apartments, 20 percent will be socially subsidized. The plans also incorporate two main pathways, green courtyards, and rooftop terraces designed to foster community interaction. The project’s development has involved public participation, leading to adjustments such as the parking concept. A total of 850 parking spaces will be available in an underground garage, managed flexibly via an app. Residents who do not require their parking space during the day can make it available to retail customers, daycare parents, or delivery services. Additionally, 1,800 bicycle parking spaces are planned.
District Administrator Sees Opportunity for Needed Housing
The Beiersdorf company vacated its former headquarters in 2023, relocating to the new Beiersdorf Campus in Lokstedt. Christian Zierau (SPD), who became District Administrator of Eimsbüttel at the beginning of the year, inherited the project from his predecessors. He views the development as an opportunity to create much-needed affordable housing. “Every concern is legitimate, and we take it seriously,” Zierau affirmed. “There will be further participation processes where these concerns will be incorporated. However, it must be clear: if we want this to succeed, we cannot please everyone. It is also important to achieve this transformation from an old industrial site to residential space.”
Demolition and Construction Timeline
The new quarter on the former Beiersdorf site is expected to be completed by 2035. This necessitates the demolition of existing buildings over the coming years, with the old Beiersdorf main building scheduled for demolition in mid-2027. Residents face nearly a decade of construction. Barbara König expressed her frustration, saying, “I am self-employed and work from home, and I don’t know how I’m going to escape this noise.” She added, “I am very skeptical. I know we urgently need housing, but I don’t understand why they couldn’t just convert this beautiful old building.”
The challenge with converting old office buildings is often their complex and costly nature. The structural integrity of office buildings typically differs from that of residential buildings, and the approval processes for such conversions are highly intricate. Thomas Krüger, a senior urban planner at HafenCity University Hamburg, also points to Germany’s excessively high technical standards as a fundamental obstacle to the feasibility of such office-to-residential conversion projects.
Source: NDR.de
