
The city centre is evolving. Bremen is creating affordable and desirable residential areas, offices and retail space. The city is set to get a more modern look thanks to projects near the main train station, in new districts and right by the river.
Private investors are raising around a billion euros to make the centre of Bremen a more attractive and appealing place to live. The ‘Bremen wird neu’ (Bremen reborn) campaign provides information and updates on the projects that are currently under development in and around the city centre, and also provides a sneak preview of progress on the construction sites. The campaign features a memorable mascot, a mole in a high-vis vest, and communicates via the ‘Bremen wird neu’ website, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Photos, videos and further posts can be found using the #bremenwirdneu hashtag.
Below is an overview of the current projects:
City Gate – the gateway to the city
The City Gate Bremen will be the first thing that people see when they leave the main train station in the direction of the city centre. The construction combines Hanseatic building traditions with modern elements and is based on a design by the award-winning Studio Max Dudler. The gateway consists of two buildings through which visitors can walk into the heart of the city. Bremen’s residents will also benefit from the new building. In addition to the office space, the two hotels and the underground car park, there will be 12,000 square metres of space for retail, restaurants and services. The first tenants are expected to move in to City Gate Bremen in early 2019.
The new Balge quarter
Dr Johann Christian Jacobs, corporate investor and managing partner at Joh. Jacobs & Co., is planning a five-storey new build and street improvements in Grosse Waagestrasse and Kleine Waagestrasse. The Jacobs-Hof building is the first step for what will become the new Balge quarter. Initial construction works have been ongoing at the former headquarters of Bremen’s oldest coffee roasters at number 18 and 20 Obernstrasse since April 2018. The Kontorhaus building will also form part of the new quarter. Extensive reconstruction is planned here, with the ground floor set to be used by restaurants.