- The impressive large-scale project with its attractive architecture and imposing barrel roofs is taking shape. Completion of construction secured at the end of September, building can be used from 2017.
- 85 percent of the space has been let and further inquiries are being viewed and processed. New event venue for up to 1000 guests.
- The primary aim of the project is to achieve a social mix in the district. Institutions from the social sector are networked with players from the creative and cultural milieu under one roof.
The renovation work at the Talstrasse depot is progressing steadily. At the meeting of the main committee, Lord Mayor Marcel Philipp was able to state with satisfaction that the planned completion date of the construction work at the end of September 2016 can be regarded as certain according to current estimates. As a result, final lease negotiations are currently being held with existing tenants and prospective tenants. "To date, we have received rental confirmations for around 85% of the premises in the depot," explained Dieter Begaß, Head of the City of Aachen's Economic Development Department, at a press conference on site
An effective new place
Lennartz and Wolf emphasized the special charm of this old streetcar depot from 1926, which is now being opened to the public for the first time. The newly created forecourt is inviting, the huge window front is bright, the many entrances are open and the bridge to the neighboring park is connecting. The special atmosphere and the attractive architecture with its special spatial geometry and interesting barrel roofs make the depot an impressive place.
Special potential, colorful mixed tenant structure
The property as a whole has exceptional potential to bring together social institutions with creative and cultural players under one roof. The aim is to be able to present a diverse tenant structure at the beginning of 2017.
In addition to creating new cultural offerings for residents, the primary aim of the project is to achieve a social mix in the district. The wide range of possible uses of the depot will appeal to and bring together the most diverse characters in the district, as well as attracting completely new players to the district.
Once all the renovation work has been completed, visitors and users will have around 5,600 square meters of space with a wide range of options at their disposal. The central new venue is the Piazza at the heart of the depot, which can accommodate up to 1000 guests. This venue closes a gap in the city's range of event venues.
A wide range of services under one roof
There will be conference and exercise rooms as well as studios, workshops and attractive event spaces. The café/restaurant and communal areas will also play a key role in networking and bringing the district's citizens together.
A mixed concept is being pursued for the tenant composition, with tenants from the cultural, social and educational sectors moving into the depot. This mixed composition of tenants ensures that the purpose of promoting a cultural and social center in Aachen-Nord and the central importance of networking in the district is achieved.
The various tenants guarantee a colorful and diverse range of consulting services, events, seminars, exhibitions, information, events, cooperations and much more.
The following tenants are then planned: Atelierhaus Aachen e.V., Familienbildungswerk des DRK Kreisverbandes für die StädteRegion Aachen e.V., Jugendberufshilfe der Stadt Aachen, Deutscher Kinderschutzbund Ortsverband Aachen e.V., Mieterschutzverein e.V. für Aachen und die Umgebung, Medienzentrum für Aachen und die Region, Jugendzentrum Offene Tür Talstraße, Stadtteilbibliothek Ost, the Stadtteilbüro der Interessengemeinschaft Aachen-Nord e.V. and Ungarisch-Deutsche-Freundeskreis e.V.
We have received inquiries from businesses, but these are not being pursued at present.
"High demand for depot space"
Begaß noted: "It has been shown that there has been a high demand for depot space to date, even though there has been no active marketing and no public search for tenants. The forecast for the further acquisition of users is therefore positive."
Various areas are available for events. In addition to the piazza on the first floor, which is multifunctional and can therefore be used for exhibitions, readings, seminars, theater, concerts and presentations, there are other smaller rooms for meetings, training courses or private events. One example is the so-called "wedding room", which can be used flexibly and easily by the district and its residents in particular.
The project management for the development of the depot lies with the city's business development department. Yesterday, the main committee followed the administration's proposal to transfer responsibility for day-to-day operations to the city's cultural department from the start of the depot's operations at the turn of the year. The aim is to utilize the experience of the cultural sector in event operations in order to make a further contribution to a lively depot.
Facts and figures about the depot:
- 8,279.76 m² net floor space, of which approx. 5,600 m² exclusive rental space
- 5,000 m² of new walls
- 1,500 m² new concrete ceiling in the old track hall
- Installation of 700 m² windows
- In the 2,300 m² roof, skylights measuring approx. 450 m² were restored as a space-defining element
- A total of 73 km of cables were laid, approx. 40 km of electrical cables
- 200 new radiators in the 2nd construction phase
- 11ventilation systems with a total fresh air capacity of 30,000 m³/h