HanseMerkur Grundvermögen and Bauwens Celebrate the Topping-Out Ceremony for the “Goldschmied Carré” at Cologne Cathedral
Hamburg/Cologne, March 27, 2026 – HanseMerkur Grundvermögen (HMG), together with its project development partner Bauwens, celebrated the topping-out ceremony for the Goldschmied Carré near Cologne Cathedral on March 27. Among the approximately 100 invited guests were representatives from politics and business, including Cologne Mayor Karadag, as well as numerous project stakeholders.
With the topping-out ceremony, the construction project in a prominent downtown location on Roncalliplatz reached an important milestone: The structural framework of the first buildings is now in place, and the new office and retail complex in the immediate vicinity of the cathedral is visibly taking shape.
HanseMerkur Grundvermögen acquired the land facing Cologne Cathedral in the spring of 2024 to redevelop the previously vacant site. The approximately 3,200-square-meter site will feature office space, a hotel with over 90 rooms, retail and dining options, and an underground parking garage. The Cologne-based Bauwens Group was commissioned as the service developer for the project. In addition, Bauwens is serving as the General contractor for the first construction phase. The first sections of the building are scheduled for completion in 2027.
Torsten Burmester, Mayor of Cologne, remarked in advance: “With the Goldschmied-Carré, a project is taking shape in one of our city’s most prominent locations that combines high-quality architecture, modern uses, and urban revitalization. Such investments enhance the appeal of downtown Cologne and demonstrate how historic surroundings and contemporary urban development can complement each other effectively.”
Malte Andes, Deputy CEO of HanseMerkur Grundvermögen AG, said: “This new construction project in one of the most attractive downtown locations is generating a great deal of interest—a large portion of the office space has already been rented. A modern hotel with a fully digital concept will also be an integral part of the new complex. We are pleased that construction is proceeding according to schedule and that we will eventually be adding this special project to our portfolio and asset management.”
