In a three-level peer review process that resulted in two first-prize winners, an urban planning concept was developed for the area of what was once the post office on Erkrather Strasse. The so-called "Quartier M" is to serve as the future link between the Hauptbahnhof central station and Tanzhaus NRW/Capitol, becoming a lively city quarter for living and working. In addition to offices and a hotel, the trend-setting urban design also provides for both privately financed and government subsidized public housing. Other plans include space for a day care center for children and service providers for the quarter.
The urban plan for "Quartier M" in Düsseldorf envisions three building blocks. The office of J. MAYER H.—one of the two prizewinners—will realize the commercial block including the office/hotel high rise. The planned high rise will grow like a sculpture from one of the enclosing peripheral developments. A peripheral structure unifies the "Quartier M" as a cohesive urban plan, creating a striking conclusion to the city's cultural boulevard. The required pre-construction planning proceedings are scheduled for completion in mid-2014.
Investor: Lorac Investment Management, Luxemburg
Structure and facade planning: Knippers Helbig, Stuttgart
Climate and energy concept: Transsolar, Stuttgart
Traffic consultant: GRI Gesellschaft für Gesamtverkehrsplanung, Berlin
Projected start of construction: 2014
