Königshof in Essen

A new opportunity for a traditional location: the "Königshof" project is transforming the Essen Kaufhof store at the entrance to the central pedestrian zone opposite Essen's main railway station, which will be closed in autumn 2020, into an attractive mixed-use property - with a formative effect and high utility. After complete gutting, a market hall with gastronomy, supermarket and drugstore for local supply will move into the ground floor and basement. On the upper floors, multifunctional/office space will be created that is also suitable for university use. Through the direct access from Willy-Brandt-Platz to the basement, a new mall area will also be "docked" to the Essen underground network. The curved façade in natural stone look is reminiscent of the former structure of the DeFaKa department store (Deutsches Familien Kaufhaus), which had to make way for the former department store in 1976 after some 40 years. This in turn stood on the site of a hotel built in 1910, which was last called Königshof.

An entrance hall facing Willy-Brandt-Platz is planned for the development of the upper floors, as well as a roofed atrium inside the building. The outdoor seating of the gastronomic facilities is intended to revitalize Willy-Brandt-Platz and invite people to linger. Visually, the new Königshof is characterised by open floor ceilings, visible building services and continuous industrial floors. The materials used also reflect Essen's history with steel and coal.