The iconic Elbphilharmonie concert hall, the futuristic Unilever-Haus, the massive cruise ships at the piers, or old-timey boats at the Sandtorhafen museum harbour ─ there is plenty to see and do by the Elbe river.
A New Neighbourhood
In 2000, after four years of intensive planning, the foundations were laid for Hamburg's newest residential neighbourhood: HafenCity. Since then, inner-city Hamburg has been extended by 40%. On 1,570,000 square metres by the Elbe, construction is still going on to built a total of 8,000 apartments for approximately 16,000 residents. With more and more businesses settling down in the premium location properties, the quarter will create up to 45,000 workplaces.
Historical and Modern Architecture
Today, the single-most prominent site in HafenCity Hamburg is also the city's new landmark: Built on the foundations of an old storehouse, the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg has come to define the city's skyline.
HafenCity Hamburg's modern architecture contrasts greatly with that of the nearby Speicherstadt, a historic warehouse district. Along with the Kontorhausviertel (lit. 'trading house district') and Chilehaus (lit. 'Chile House'), it has been included on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites and is an absolute must-see on every journey to Hamburg.
Combining Infrastructure and Landmarks
Many other architectural eye-catchers reward a visit to HafenCity Hamburg, such as the new Spiegel Publishing House and Unilever House with its futuristic facades. And since April 2014, HafenCity Hamburg University has been offering Bachelor and Master degrees in architecture and urban development.
Life in HafenCity
HafenCity was planned with the residents in mind. The new quarter by the water comprises 26.5 hectares of public squares, parks and promenades, which accounts for roughly 24% of the total area. The views of the modern buildings by the harbour basins and the Elbphilharmonie are magnificient and the sunsets at the western tip of Strandhöft are particularly spectacular.
The harbourfront cafés and restaurants along Dahlmannkai promenade invite anyone to stop by and regain energy while the central Überseeboulevard shopping street caters for all other needs. The brand new Westfield Shopping Center at its south end is the shopping and entertainment hub of HafenCity with numerous fashion and retail shops, a food court and riverside cafés. For fans of immersive art and multimedia experiences, the Kinopolis cinema and the Port des Lumières immersive art exhibition are the top addresses.
For a comprehensive guide to HafenCity Hamburg head over to: www.hafencity.com
