HanseMerkur Grundvermögen and Bauwens lay foundation stone for Goldschmied-Carré at Cologne Cathedral
Hamburg, April 9, 2025 – On April 8, HanseMerkur Grundvermögen (HMG) and Bauwens laid the foundation stone for the construction of a modern commercial complex in a prominent downtown location on Roncalliplatz in Cologne. Among the more than 100 invited guests was Markus Greitemann, Deputy Mayor for Design & Build for the City of Cologne and candidate for Lord Mayor.
Following the welcoming speeches, the speakers walled up a traditional time capsule containing contemporary items such as newspapers, coins, plans, etc.
HanseMerkur Grundvermögen acquired the building site facing Cologne Cathedral in spring 2024 with the aim of developing the brownfield site with modern new buildings. The construction of office space, a hotel with over 90 rooms, retail and restaurant space, and an underground parking garage is planned for the 3,200 square meter site. The experienced Bauwens Group from Cologne was commissioned as service developer for the project and is also acting as general contractor for the realization of the first construction phase. Completion of the first parts of the new building is scheduled for 2027.
The three buildings are being constructed on the Domplatte site, which is framed by the streets Unter Goldschmied, Am Hof, Sporergasse, and Große Budengasse. The name Unter Goldschmied was coined by the gold and silversmiths who lived here in the Middle Ages.
Markus Greitemann, Deputy Mayor for Design & Build in Cologne, said at the groundbreaking ceremony: "The development at Roncalliplatz is a major gain for Cologne. The modern commercial complex comprising office space, a hotel, retail outlets, and restaurants is a high-quality, future-oriented development in the immediate vicinity of the cathedral. I am delighted that a coherent, contemporary concept is being implemented here that blends harmoniously into the cityscape."
Ulrich Haeselbarth, CEO of HanseMerkur Grundvermögen AG, which acquired the land for one of its investment vehicles, emphasized in his opening speech: "Our investment focus is on prime inner-city locations. This new construction project offers modern space right next to Cologne Cathedral. Demand for such premium properties is high: around half of the office space was already leased to an international management consultancy before construction began, and further talks are ongoing. We look forward to adding the property to our portfolio and asset management."
Paul Bauwens-Adenauer, Managing partner of the Bauwens Group, emphasised in his speech: "The Goldschmied Carré, which is now rising from the ground, is another building block in the long-cherished desire to upgrade the cathedral district. With high-quality standards and sophisticated architecture, the investor HanseMerkur is demonstrating its awareness of the great urban planning responsibility of this construction project. The Bauwens company is delighted to be able to realize this project, which is so important for our hometown, at its headquarters. This is linked to the hope that the council and administration will ensure that Roncalliplatz, with its high-quality development, will naturally be a place for everyone, but not for everything."
Architect Prof. Johannes Kister stated: "Only once in a generation is it possible to build opposite the cathedral. The scale has therefore been set."
