Haus Friesenplatz

The buildings on Cologne’s Friesenplatz, originally constructed in the mid-20th century, had become technically and economically outdated. The location on one of Cologne’s liveliest squares, with high visibility, excellent infrastructure, and an underground station directly adjacent to the property, was extremely attractive; however, it presented enormous logistical challenges during implementation due to the multi-level underground transit hub and a main fiber-optic cable running directly through the planned excavation pit.

The owner’s expectations of us were clear: to create a contemporary product while managing the high complexity of the site during construction and keeping the existing anchor tenant’s operations running.

Between 2016 and 2020, we carried out the demolition and new construction in phases, ensuring minimal disruption to tenants and the surrounding area. The entire construction project was akin to open-heart surgery: building while operations continued – right in the middle of a major transportation hub!

As general contractor for Allianz, we managed the demolition and new construction in a challenging neighborhood with high technical complexity. During the renovation, the flagship store of the long-standing tenant, fashion store Weingarten, was to remain open to customers for as long as possible, and its move to new, larger spaces in the new building on Friesenplatz was to be facilitated as early as possible. By carrying out the work in two construction phases, we were able to ensure access to the existing fashion store at all times and get the tenant’s new location up and running as soon as possible. Planning, demolition, and the construction schedule were closely coordinated with the tenants’ ongoing business operations.

Through direct, personal, and reliable communication with existing tenants, the city, technicians, and neighbors, as well as structured management of all measures from a single source, we were able to overcome the many challenges. The result is a modern office, retail, and residential complex with more than 15,000 square meters of rental space and a high-capacity underground parking garage with e-mobility options that meets high ESG and comfort standards. The redesign of the inner courtyards was used to create 27 exclusive rental apartments in the heart of the city.

“Haus Friesenplatz” exemplifies our commitment: We take responsibility as general contractor and create tailor-made projects for our clients, even under complex conditions.