Working and living
Living on Cloud 7 – two inspirational urban developments
The Cloud No 7 tower house and Gerber shopping mall in the south of the city are the face of Stuttgart’s new urban-scape. At the same time, the two real estate beacons stand for a new inner city development of which they are the prime movers.
The two new landmarks of the capital can be seen from far and wide. The futuristic Cloud No 7 highrise with a total of 18 floors towers above the Europaviertel in the north of the inner city. And, on the south side of the city ring road, the Gerber, also known as the city department store at Paulinenbrücke, dominates the landscape. Both unique in terms of appearance and architecture, at the same time these two flagship projects full the role of new city gates and source of inspiration, as well as representing a major contribution to inner city development.
Since it was opened in September 2014, the Gerber shopping mall has in many ways helped to bring new life to the entire district. On the one hand, this stems of course from the various restaurants and new shopping horizons in many stores, boutiques and fashion shops but also to local services like large supermarkets, which also play a major role.
A mix of shopping, living and working
And here, too, the mix of shopping, living and working is an important aspect. Around 600 people live and work in the Gerber shopping mall, which covers an area of around 43,000 square metres and is frequented by about 25,000 visitors daily. The entire Gerber district benefits from the pulsating life, which even has its own district manager, city marketing expert Hannes Wolf as the city’s first and only person to be appointed to that role in a district of Stuttgart. In the wake of the shopping mall, the Gerber district association, founded in 2013, aims to promote culture and business in the district and, notably, has established the two-day Gerber district festival.
On the other side of the city centre, the redevelopment of the railway station grounds has freed up a lot of space and unlocked opportunities to create modern inner-city districts with a high quality of life and first-rate transport connections. The residential tower Cloud No 7, directly adjacent to the municipal library and Milaneo shopping mall, and visible from miles around, is part of an unconventional and visionary concept for this district, and sets revolutionary new standards in Stuttgart. Exclusive living in business apartments with all-round service, luxury owner-occupier flats and a 500-square-metre penthouse on the 18th floor create a whole new living experience with panoramic views. At the same time, Steigenberger Hotel AG manages a first-class hotel under the new “Jaz in the City” label in the city’s tallest residential building.
An exceptional and visionary concept
A unique residence, the concept has enjoyed lively interest since the first stone was laid. The unconventional idea of the real estate developer and owner has thus struck the right chord from the first. “High demand, especially on the part of buyers from Stuttgart and environs, shows us that our property is just what many people have been looking for, the atmosphere of a city like New York or other such metropolis”, emphasises Stuttgart investor Tobias Fischer, chairman of Schwäbischen Wohnungs AG, who regards the new apartment and hotel tower as a landmark with a dynamic and vital influence on the entire district and Stuttgart’s new urban image thanks to its prominent location.
A new gateway to the inner city.
According to Tobias Fischer, customers are particularly attracted to the combination of international standards and the security of the German market; a couple from Peking ew over specially to buy two business apartments, for instance. The project developers have set the opening date for spring 2017, with the promise of: “Living on Cloud 7.” At the same time, the distinctive 61- metre city tower also assumes a special role from Day One: as the new gateway to the inner city.
Markus Heffner
Living, working and shopping
Local authorities can now build in industrial or built-up urban areas. This is possible thanks to a zoning law amendment that envisages so-called urban areas which permit a mingling of residential and commercial areas.
The shortage of affordable accommodation is one of the most urgent problems in major German cities, including and especially the state capital Stuttgart and the entire metropolitan region. However, rents and real estate prices have also risen steeply in other conurbations in Baden-Württemberg and even in many rural regions. Thus, since taking of ce in May 2016, Baden-Württemberg’s Minister of Economic Affairs, Nicole Hoffmeister-Kraut, has not only adopted relevant subsidised residential building programmes worth millions, but has also formed a living space alliance for Baden-Württemberg with various players in a wide variety of disciplines, which has since been deemed as one of the state government’s most important projects. The kick-off event was attended by around 50 top- ranking representatives of the housing and construction indus- tries, leading municipal associations, local political parties, banks and environmental protection societies. As Nicole Hoffmeister-Kraut comments: “Building adequate affordable homes quickly is one of the state government’s main concerns, and the need is more pressing than ever.”
A new innovative approach to living
and working side-by-side
Stakeholders identify a solution to the problem in the possibility of adopting so-called “urban areas” as a new category in the Federal Land Utilisation Ordinance as a way of gaining more leeway to build homes. In contrast to purely residential districts, these urban areas envisage mixed usage, a whole new concept in which housing, businesses, social, cultural and other institutions nudge shoulders. Legislation also allows for higher, denser construction in these mixed areas than used to be the case. The federal government has in the meantime passed a law to encourage this new form of urban cohabitation, for example by tolerating higher emission control values that are three decibels over the former statutory noise level. During the day a maximum of 63 decibels is permitted, and at night a maximum of 48 decibels, in the new mixed-use areas. “Many towns are stretched to the limits” stresses Federal Minister of Building, Barbara Hendricks, on the presentation of the new area category. “They need growth prospects and, above all, more affordable housing.”
Short distances,
local jobs and
a good social mix
for cities
INFO
Das Dorotheen Quartier
The restructuring of the Dorotheen Quartier in the Stuttgart city centre presented a unique opportunity for urban planners to upgrade what was hitherto regarded as the exit of the Karlspassage onto Sporer- and Karlstraße. This exclusive inner city area, enclosed by three blocks with offices, small retailers and urban residences, adjoins the busy network of streets in Stuttgart’s pedestrian precinct and enhances the urban grid system in the city centre.
The blueprint enhances the present Sporerstraße, dividing it into two squares – Dorotheenplatz and Sporerplatz – and linking them with the vibrant city square in front of the covered market. The new line of vision between the covered market and Karlspassage plays a major role in linking key elements of urban appeal. The aim was to create an urban space with no rear views, with attractive frontages and varying character, in a consistent standard of quality. The buildings straddling the Stuttgart basin form a colourful roof landscape. Due to the topographical situation of the Stuttgart basin this roof landscape assumes a special importance as a fifth facade. From many viewpoints the different parts of the city can be identified by the distinctive roofs, lending the whole a unique character.
Local authorities can decide themselves which areas are suitable for declaration as urban areas for both new housing and businesses. This is a responsible brief that must be addressed judiciously, as emphasises Baden-Württemberg’s Minister of the Environment, Franz Untersteller. “The government also needs to protect the health of its citizens in times of a housing shortage.” This refers to the potential stress and conflictive situations between residents and businesses, which might arise given the proximity of homes and business premises in built-up areas. The building law amendment therefore stipulates a preceding environmental compatibility audit also for building projects in urban areas in order to preclude such conflicts from the outset. The model for the development of these new mixed areas focuses on short distances, local jobs and a good social mix in the city. The highest priority is to facilitate living and working side-by-side and to organise this so that residents and business- es can co-exist in peace and harmony.
Increasing numbers of people are moving into big cities and conurbations. The downside of this metropolitan renaissance is an ever-greater shortage of housing. Nationwide 350,000 to 400,000 apartments would have to be built annually to cover current demand. Some experts however estimate that double this figure would be more accurate. Inexpensive apartments are more or less non-existent on the market, so it is becoming increasingly difficult for people on low incomes, families and students to find an affordable place to live. Many cities and communities in Baden-Württemberg now hope to create appropriate housing facilities in the urban areas. In the future, the new type of land-use area will also let them build apartments in densely developed urban or industrial areas and use buildings for residential purposes. However, the aim is by no means to force small businesses or other trades to move away from the city centre: the existence of businesses in the inner cities is protected. As building minister Barbara Hendricks emphasises: “Our approach to urban development focuses on less land consumption. And by doing so, we can provide more housing where it is needed most, in the most sought-after inner-city areas.”
Markus Heffner