Münster „Münster Arkaden“
In October 2006, the “Münster Arkaden” (Münster Arcades) shopping centre was opened in the city centre of Münster. On the site of former bank headquarters, a building complex was erected which fits into the inner city in terms of function, urban planning and architecture.
Context
Source: Komainda und Schubert, BBSR, Bonn
The inner city of Münster (292,000 inhabitants) is mostly characterised by reconstruction following war destruction. The main shopping area is divided up into the "Prinzipialmarkt", characterised by consistently reconstructed buildings and gables facing the street, and “Ludgeristraße”, forming the pedestrian zone. At “Prinzipialmarkt” you can find high-quality goods while "Ludgeristraße" provides a mix of branches and specialist shops. Two centrally located warehouses complete the local supply of shops.
Demolishing the bank building created a site in the south of the “Prinzipalmarkt”, on which a shopping centre could be realised that is well integrated in terms of urban planning. The project was realised based on an urban planning concept placing great demands in the architecture and in integration into the inner city.
Project description
Source: Komainda und Schubert, BBSR, Bonn
The bank initiatied the construction of a new shopping centre in Münster. It was the owner at the same time and in 2001, it commissioned Kleihues+Kleihues architects, who had won the first prize in the competition carried out in the context of the project. Their concept met the urban planning and architectural requirements of all parties in the best way.
Following the demolition of the bank headquarters, a new three-storey building with two wings was built on 11,000 sqm in area, one of the wings slightly turning outwards. At the end of both wings, there are two entrances and two exits leading to two shopping malls. A large clothing shop can only be entered from the shopping mall.
Apart from some anchor tenants (e.g. large electrical shops, clothing shops), the shopping centre houses a variety of local and supralocal specialist shops. Gastronomic firms were also able to establish. The bank has a new customer service area established on the ground floor. The historic building fabric could also be maintained. The building, which houses the Picasso art museum, has been refurbished and physically integrated in the shopping centre. It has a second internal entrance from the “Münster-Arkaden” (Münster Arcades).
Source: Komainda und Schubert, BBSR, Bonn
The individual natural stone façade with its colonnades and the adapted multi-storey way of building of the shopping centre fit into the existing cityscape. The integration is also supported by the opening of the shops on the ground floor towards the inner city.
Following several changes of owners, the investor “Aachener Grundvermögen” in December 2012 bought the “Münster Arkaden” (Münster Arcades) from Sonae Sierra. The latter company will, however, continue to manage the shopping centre.
Project chronology
Year | Event |
---|---|
2001 | Planning activities started based on a concept of Kleihues+Kleihues |
2002 | Shopping centre realised |
2005 | First stage of construction opened |
2006 | Second stage of construction opened |
2006 | “Münster Arkaden” sold to Sonae Sierra |
2010 | Purchase of “Münster Arkaden” cancelled by Sonae Sierra |
2012 | Investor “Aachener Grundvermögen” becomes owner of “Münster Arkaden” |
Aims
Source: Komainda und Schubert, BBSR, Bonn
- To integrate the shopping centre into the surrounding area
- To integrate urban planning, retail-oriented, cultural and public aspects
- To mix different branches and to complete the range of goods in the inner city
- To create a modern, future-oriented world of shopping
- To make the inner city more attractive
Types of measures
Source: Komainda und Schubert, BBSR, Bonn
- Competition
- Demolition of buildings
- New constructions
- Maintenance of historic building fabric
- Integration into the cityscape
- Opening of shopping centre towards the inner city
Innovations
Source: Komainda und Schubert, BBSR, Bonn
The “Münster Arkaden” (Münster Arcades) can be considered as a project that was successfully implemented in the context of integrating a shopping centre in the cityscape. The demanding architectural appearance and the opening of the arcades to the inner city help to better integrate the complex into the city centre of Münster. The multifunctional character and the additional offer of goods in the inner city also have an integrative character. With the arcades, a pathway between the shopping malls could be created. The historic building fabric witih existing uses such as the Picasso art museum were maintained, refurbished and physically integrated in the building complex. The shopping centre thus also offers cultural incentives. With the “Münster Arkaden”, the inner city of Münster and the commercial structure could be further supported.
Sources
Further information
The projekt site ist to be found at postal code: 48143 - town: Münster - street: Ludgeristraße 100.
Poject site on Google-Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/efhQNW5e7vo
Last update: 17.01.2018