Boom end plate.

Once a rough spot, now a landmark and an experimental laboratory for architects: Düsseldorf Trade Port is in an effort to become the media port. Rarely is such a town planning has succeeded spectacularly - just why does the mile as lebensfern strange?

 

Among the largest in the world Dezimaluhr stretch the necks of the watchers. It is emblazoned on the Rhine tower, which is 234-meter high, was designed by Harald Deilmann and 1982 was completed. 62 lights shine here who they know are right, you can find out how late it is: Just after half past two, the sky above the power goes on his most innocent clouds.

Below unfolds the whole fascination of a micro-post-modern world. Not less than that in the last 20 years on the grounds of the old industrial harbor from the ground has been. And now this urban landscape of ambitious visions of urban planners and architectural designs of the official Mega Star in Düsseldorf flagship districts. From all over the country, suburbs and surrounding areas after the curious flocking Unterbilk to switch between new office buildings and historic Verladekrähnen strolling.

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Just behind the tower the dark tower clad arches that are close to the Rheinkniebrücke huge tree-like pieces to add new parliament. Farther southwest, from the majestic impressive facade of the double gate on the studio of the WDR country until well into old Kaigebiet inside, will have international and local architects their feathers cobblestone streets to spread, almost always with reference to the port. That is not always a price, but worth at least an explanation.

Naughty ensemble without right angle

For example, the "Grand Bateau" by Claude Vasconi a stone ship, and with bold swing through the mouth into the Zollhof rises. Or the house before the wind "Günter Zamp Kelp: a medium-sized cuboid whose vorgewölbte trading port on the front like a mainsail seems. Or Norbert Wansleben "cloud Ironing" at the end of the dock: a massive container construction, which - although self-supporting - a former engine house aufzuliegen seems. Such projects have been bold without the flexibility of the preservationists and short decision paths never been consistently implemented, should be able to Landesbauvorschriften were tested on their ductility.

The undisputed main players but are still those three crooked buildings, the American architect Frank O. Gehry to the representative body of the old Zollhof erected a naughty ensemble without right angles, which in the few years since the first occupation of 1999 marked another point of attraction of this city has become outdated. The equestrian statue of Jan Wellem, Castle Tower, courtyard garden, Königsallee: All that is just starring at the younger postcards and brochures, the Dusseldorf as an innovative mini-metropolis in Aufbruch propagate.

It was also a matter of marketing that the initiator of this ambitious construction projects of the eighties to end his personal campaign did. The advertisers Thomas Rempen thought to a new headquarters for its seams from the space agency, but also wanted a spectacular exclamation point for the appearance of a somewhat self-satisfied state capital of confusion.

It was not immediately receive the unanimous consent of the Council, as some like to claim. But the vision fits well with the official plans for urban redevelopment of the port area. Where since the end of the 19th Century ship items were deleted, was now largely dead trousers - from a few camps and to himself, grain mills malmenden apart.

"From the industrial port on the streets of the creatives"

How could Rempen as a trustee of the city a competition of ideas initiate the first, the London architect Zaha Hadid won - only one was not on the implementation of its draft agreement. As was the clever marketers at the last second with a new Gehry rabbit out of the cylinder, so the magic could finally begin. It took this first brand to make the quantum leap "from the industrial port on the streets of the creatives," said the official motto, vividly to life. From then on further milestones should the area into a park transform architecture - an appropriate backdrop for an El Dorado of new media, IT start-ups and agencies.

The bubble burst in the new market a few years later, but the media grew unperturbed port - although it is still too little parking and the connection to the tram network until early 2010 is expected. About 700 companies employed here at the end of 2008 approximately 8200 employees, a quarter came from the media sector, information, communication and advertising. The "high-quality mixed clientele" have mutually attracted and "clusters" are produced, is looking forward port coordinator Hans-Dieter Jansen in the best of planners-German, in his decent black cloth almost like a priest does.

As used by the community coordinator is Jansen the ball joint between the investors and users, and the city that comes to them quite contrary: The Department for Planning and Building was early to the location of the event, to just off the by Günther Uecker, Thomas Beucker layout " place of the media. " The short distances have to be the success story contributed by the city's coffers through a variety of tax revenues in a number of benefits. Well three out of four companies based here have their representative headquarters - and for this sporty take office rents of up to 23 euros per square meter without a murmur in the purchase.

Around one billion euros has been invested in private hands, and still there are the cranes are not silent. At 2006 the Holzstraße is far sweeping Capricorn house was completed, in which now an energy company sits - Neighbor of the liqueur glass factory Findeisen & Wächter. Immediately before the beginning of 2010 is the "Casa stupenda" by Renzo Piano and built by the end of 2010 the 20-storey office tower "Sign" of the Chicago architects Murphy / Jahn pulled up. It was also at the forefront of Speditionstraße already the construction of two pretty glaring twin towers started to be 2010 65 m high on the headland and collect a hotel and office tower act.

Wrangling to apartment blocks

At this sight is Helge Achenbach only get used to. The enterprising investor and art dealer has his office on the top floor of the building at the Kaistraße 18, includes a magnificent view of the headland, where he worked until three years ago, the interim popular beach cafe Monkey's Iceland was allowed to operate. Then showed him the city of Superior, to vacate the premises - and long before the for the construction of the twin towers was absolutely necessary, as he stresses.

The key men, which would otherwise be happy to praise a living quarters, was the nightly machinations seem too much of a good thing - and this is symptomatic of the impresario understand. "Poetry is the profit has been sacrificed," says Achenbach, and refers to the new buildings are always tight.

How's life may it be in the shadow of the colossi, also taking the long-machine? Gregory Bonin, head of the Department of Planning and Building, would like to express "no Kirmes mile" permit. Other hand, would be a bit more natural swarm help the still halbsterile scenery aufzulockern.

Sometimes the audience but, as ordered, which is given after the rush hour between multiplex cinema, Italian and Mongolian barbecue tummelt: small pack of suit makers in the scenes of multicultural themed restaurants. One may go unpunished drinking Kölsch and a monkfish with a view of the water dissect, but never finds a vegetable stand - not to mention a supermarket.

The district government, however, the amendment of the land, is required for the construction of several apartment blocks in the field of boiler street, temporarily stopped, although it is these buildings perfectly normal to pump life into the area could. The reason: They fear the complaints of the future residents, the emissions from the adjacent mills could feel harassed. In contrast, the Upper City before finding Oberlandesgericht complaint. "We are living in the port get," says Bonin convinced that only likes to "break the monostructure" wants.

Who in Dusseldorf apartment search goes on, should not rely too much: In ten years, the last stage of transformation will be completed, until then will remain the new showpiece boulevard - and a famous site.