Planned building in Hamburg: dream of Esso houses shattered after 10 years!

Planned building in Hamburg: dream of Esso houses shattered after 10 years!

In Hamburg, an important participation model for large projects is coming to an end. The planning booth, which was set up on behalf of the Mitte district to represent the interests of the residents of the Esso houses on the Reeperbahn, will stop working after ten years. The reason for the early departure lies in the developments surrounding the project, which were decisively influenced by Bayerische Hausbau, a company of the Munich-based Schörghuber Group.

After decades of planning and financial commitments from the city, Bayerische Hausbau has decided to abandon the project entirely. What is particularly difficult for the Planbude is that despite an architectural competition in 2016 and an urban development contract from 2018, the planned construction projects on the site are rejected. The company demolished the previous development in 2014 and since then there has been a large vacant lot of around 6,000 square meters, which has had a lasting impact on the district.

The loss of trust

In a statement, Planbude sharply criticized Bayerische Hausbau because the company was shifting responsibility for the failed development of the area. “Since Florian Schörghuber took over, the group has significantly reduced its project development capacities,” reported the initiative. She complains that the specialist staff were laid off and wonders how Bayerische Hausbau can build the originally planned Esso houses on its own.

This decision is not without consequences: Urban Development Senator Karen Pein and Mayor Peter Tschentscher (both SPD) adopted the Bayerische Hausbau narrative without critically questioning the contractual obligations. “The Senate is negotiating the quality of the project in a relaxed manner, while we know that we have worked together with the company on a desirable development,” the plan booth continued. Many citizens who were involved in the project feel bitterly disappointed by this rejection of their proposals.

Planned designs and their fate

The site was originally intended to offer around 200 apartments, including over 60 percent publicly subsidized rental apartments and community projects. In addition, areas were planned for businesses and social institutions, such as neighborhood clubs. Particularly noteworthy was the idea of ​​making the roofs accessible to the public, with opportunities to linger or garden. In total, around 2,300 people contributed to the design and completion was scheduled for 2025.

Despite the clear plans, Bayerische Hausbau has not yet submitted a building application for the attractive project. The site was offered more than a year ago to the municipal housing company Saga, which is currently examining the possibility of publicly subsidized housing. A spokesman for the saga said that no further information could be provided at the moment due to ongoing discussions.

The plans for the Esso houses are in danger of ending without any visible progress. This not only has an impact on the immediate residents, but also on the general building landscape in Hamburg, which has been confronted with similar problems in recent years.

The discussion about the project and the failed collaboration with Bayerische Hausbau remains exciting, while the planning studio finally withdraws from the action. Citizens' hopes for positive urban renewal appear to remain unfulfilled in the foreseeable future.