Modern Cologne

The Cathedral and the Romanesque churches - how could it be otherwise in Cologne - dominate the skyline as they have since time immemorial. But the process of change after the city's destruction during World War II is apparent: leading architects have set new highlights - cautiously, with respect for the unmistakable historic face of the city.

Considering modern and surprising architecture Cologne has a lot to offer: Some of Germany’s most important new buildings by international architects including O. M. Ungers, Nicholas Grimshaw, Norman Foster, Renzo Piano, Jean Nouvel, Rem Koolhaas and Peter Zumthor can be found here.

A former gourmet restaurant built by architect Wilhelm Riphahn, today the »Bastei« (1924) is used for conventions and special events.
The 17-storey Hansahochhaus (1925) is based on the plans of Jakob Koerfer. At the time of construction, the clinker building, measuring 65 metres in height, was Cologne's first high-rise building, and simultaneously the highest »skyscraper« in Europe.

Pioneering architecture after World War II

Urban centres on the Neumarkt are the Josef-Haubrich-Forum (1967) with its medical centre and facing it on the north side, three extensive covered shopping malls - the longest in Germany. In over 100,000 sq.m., visitors can stroll without getting their feet wet between specialist stores, boutiques, department stores or gourmet bistros.
Anyone who approaches the city from the right bank will recognize, especially here, how the architecture uses old forms and adapts them to new requirements. The shed roofs of the new museum complex (1986) in the highly sensitive vicinity of the Cathedral, formally pick up the Gothic arches of the Cathedral stays and at the same time ensure adequate light in the interior of the exhibition rooms. Luxurious but discreet residential architecture around the church of Gross St. Martin in the Old Town creates a square full of tranquillity and intimacy.

Cologne's inner ring road is slowly regaining its big city boulevard character after extensive war damage. Close to the Hansaring, the MediaPark is an ultra-modern city district on the site of the former rail goods terminal. The bold architecture of the Cinedom multiplex cinema (1990), the Jean Nouvel tower and other new buildings provide a harmonious setting for German and international companies in the communication and entertainment business. On the Rudolfplatz, the Sparkasse KölnBonn (savings bank) presents the sweeping lines of its glazed headquarters (1992).
The tip of the Rheinauhafen (port) is now adorned by the Chocolate Museum (1993), like the transparent bow of a ship, with its magnificent panoramic view of the Rhine. On the other side of the Rhine in Deutz, right alongside the Exhibition Centre, the huge Lanxess Arena (1998) beneath its imposing 76-metre high steel arc which bears the roof of Germany's largest and most modern indoor event venue, together with the glass front of the City of Cologne's new technical town hall, set new accents on the skyline.

Sky high

The »Cologne Tower« (2001) in the MediaPark doesn’t offer a visitor platform but features, instead, the restaurant on the 30th floor. The splendid views range across Cologne’s city centre with the Cathedral, central train station and Lanxess Arena, to the Bergisch Land, the TV tower in Düsseldorf, right up to the Siebengebirge (Seven Mountains).
Visitors get the best view to Cologne’s most attractive side with its Cathedral, Old City and the »Rheinauhafen« from the right side of the Rhine in Cologne-Deutz – from the panoramic platform of the »Cologne Triangle« (2004). The glass tower which is more than 100 metres high rises up over Cologne’s skyline and defines the city’s panorama as a symbol of modern architecture which can be see from afar.

And, in 2006, the »Weltstadthaus« (2005) in the Schildergasse by star architect Renzo Piano won the renowned architectural prize of the Cannes real estate exhibition – the MIPIM Award.
How harmoniously the old can blend into the new can be seen particularly impressively near Cologne Cathedral. Notable Swiss architect, Peter Zumthor, designed a very special building for the archiepiscopal diocesan museum – the »Kolumba« (2007). The foundation stone of the museum was laid in 2003 and it was opened in 2007 by Cardinal Meisner. The building incorporates both the foundations of the Roman church of St. Kolumba, damaged during the Second World War, as well as the »Madonna in the Ruins« chapel, built in its place in 1950. The latter is fully enclosed by the modern museum building but can be entered by a separate entrance.

Novelties

One of the most unusual concepts was developed by the Hamburg architect Hadi Teherani with his three »Kranhäuser« (crane houses) in the Rheinauhafen which, with their upper floors, rise up over the river and their appearance is based on the historic industrial cranes. An exciting mix of urban living and working, culture and leisure is also planned for the 15 hectare site of Cologne’s former goods transport harbour which should be complete by 2009. The site will include squares and promenades, cafes, restaurants and retail trade. Historic buildings, too, remain preserved, for example the listed port granaries. These have been functionally incorporated as restaurants or office buildings by interior conversion work.

The Gerling Quarter is located within the Ring Streets of Cologne’s inner city. A coherent real estate cluster of approx. 130,000 square metres occupies an overall area of 4.8 hectares; gardens and parks provide for a green atmosphere. Such a quarter in this kind of location is unique – not only in Cologne. All in all, 140 high-quality flats, service apartments and modern office and retail premises are to be developed in the Gerling Quarter until 2013.
The building was constructed as an office complex with a classy elegant architecture, largely planned by Dr. Hans Gerling himself, during the years of Germany’s economic miracle after World War II. In the future, the complex will be a living inner-city quarter, hosting luxury flats, head offices, restaurants and cafés. The emerging premium flats in the Haus Gerling, the quarter’s high-rise building listed as a historic monument, offer a magnificent view of the Cologne Cathedral in addition to first-class services. The other prominent buildings such as the Rotunda, the Century Hall or the Palais Langen likewise undergo comprehensive renovation. The Gereonshof, previously used for purely representative purposes, is rearranged into a square in the style of an Italian Piazza. Similar to its role models in Rome and Florence, this place invites visitors to go on a shopping spree or linger in one of the gourmet restaurants and cafés.