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LocationHamburg
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ProjectRevitalization of an office and retail building
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ClientArt-Invest Real Estate
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Architect of recordCaspar Schmitz-Morkramer
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Project controllingAPM-Projektmanagement, Hamburg
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Technical building equipmentPetersen-Ingenieure, Düsseldorf
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Structural engineeringRohwer Ingenieure, Handewitt
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Fire protectionIfB Schütte, Bremen
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Building physicsISRW Dr.-Ing. Klapdor, Düsseldorf
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Planning and construction period2013–2016
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Service phases1–5
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Gross floor area (AG/BG)8,720/1,360 m²
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PhotosHGEsch
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This project is from the joint period of meyerschmitzmorkramer.
The Kontorhaus on Hamburg’s Rödingsmarkt, with its striking sandstone facade and elaborate Art Nouveau details, stands as a proud testament to business pride and tradition. Designed by architects Werner Lundt and Georg Kallmorgen, it was constructed in 1904 for merchant Wilhelm Klöpper. When Art-Invest acquired the building, they were pleased to find that much of the original structure remained intact, even though the modern, open floors had been subdivided into smaller spaces over the years. Our task was to renovate the Alte Klöpperhaus so that it would continue to tell its story as a modern office and commercial building. The original open layout of the historical structure provided an ideal foundation for creating contemporary workspaces.
As part of the revitalization, we carefully renovated the building’s exterior, ensuring its historical integrity was preserved through close consultations with heritage authorities. The Obernkirchen sandstone of the facade along Rödingsmarkt was cleaned, and the windows were replaced with insulated profiles that match the original design. We also restored the main entrance and staircase leading up to the raised ground floor back to their original positions, aligning them flush with the facade. By adding insulated copper roof cladding and skylights, the attic – which had previously only been used as an archive – was transformed into an office floor. On the fifth and sixth floors, the dormers were replaced with large studio windows that overlook the inner courtyard, enhancing the old Kontorhaus with new light and spatial qualities. The other four office floors, each around 1,000 square meters, were completely gutted to restore the building’s original modern features: open floor plans, views in all directions, and ceiling heights of up to 4 meters.
The spirit of the building is now vibrantly revived in the central access area. Accessed through an elegant entrance from Rödingsmarkt, the open staircase along the main axis leads to a uniquely spacious atrium. We meticulously restored its original features, including mustard yellow tiles and elaborate Art Nouveau décor. By installing a new glass roof over the atrium and stairwell, based on a 1913 design, we brought abundant daylight deep into the building. Each office floor features windows overlooking the atrium and has access to the stairwell, transforming the entire vertical space into a dynamic hub of communication.
