Leverkusen, 02.06.2023

At the end of April, the district council and the committee for planning and construction of the state capital Düsseldorf decided to hold a competition for the high-rise building at Witzelstraße 54-60 in Düsseldorf. Cube Real Estate GmbH (Cube) will carry out the architectural competition in cooperation with the city planning office of the state capital Düsseldorf and Ulrich Hartung GmbH. The current functional design and the neglected condition of the building no longer meet the requirements of this important urban location. The aim of the competition is to identify innovative and viable ideas for future-oriented architecture on the approximately 2,200^m2 project site. The competition with 10 national and international architecture firms started in mid-May 2023, with the announcement of the results planned for early September 2023.

The planned concept for the “Bilkwinkel” project envisages redesigning the high-rise building with a maximum gross floor area of 11,000 m² and a height of up to 45 m. The context and the overall urban development will be taken into account in order to create a suitable mix of uses for the high-rise building. The possibility of retaining parts of the existing building is being closely examined. Publicly accessible uses such as small stores and services are planned for the first floor, while the upper floors are reserved for office and service uses. Independent usage units are to be created in the base zones of the building, which will contribute to opening up the high-rise to the city (the urban space). An underground garage is planned for the necessary parking spaces and building services. In addition, one floor is to be designed for laboratory use as an example. With this project, Cube aims to make a sustainable contribution to urban development in Düsseldorf-Bilk.

The planned development will also be designed to be sustainable and climate-adapted in order to meet the challenges of the climate crisis. To implement climate protection measures, the plan is to preserve the existing trees and install photovoltaic systems on all suitable roofs in combination with green roofs. In addition, a climate-neutral energy concept is to be implemented in the company. With regard to climate adaptation, solar energy-optimized buildings and floor plans as well as a compact structure are to be implemented. In order to create energy-efficient climate comfort, climate-adapted building planning is planned. For example, shading elements and light-colored building materials will be used to protect against overheating in summer. Façade greening and an increase in the volume of greenery in the open spaces are also planned. The roof and surface water that accumulates is to be used on site, either by allowing it to seep away directly and returning it to the green areas or by using suitable technical measures to store it as a resource for dry periods.

“With our ‘Bilkwinkel’ project, we want to make an important contribution to urban development in Düsseldorf-Bilk and create innovative architecture that meets the current challenges of working and living environments as well as the climate crisis. We are motivated and proud to carry out this architectural competition together with the city planning office of the state capital of Düsseldorf and Ulrich Hartung GmbH and look forward to numerous forward-looking ideas,” says Thore Marenbach, Managing Director of Cube Land Development.

The project has excellent public and private transport links thanks to its location close to the Bickendorf B8 main road and the “Auf’m Hennekamp” and “Uni-Kliniken” streetcar and streetcar stops. The Heinrich Heine University and the university hospital characterize the district, which is becoming increasingly attractive thanks to new residential and office developments. The district also offers plenty of local recreational areas.