Wuppertal-Elberfeld "VillaMedia"
This project has been put into the archive. The project details will not be updated anymore.
At the end of the 1990s, media companies established “VillaMedia”, a network using content specialization, spatial proximity and intensive collaboration for new forms of cooperation, in the former stockyard and slaughterhouse. By virtue of its success, the complex was extended on several occasions and is to be further developed into the “Mediapark – Event Centre NRW”.
This project has been put into the archive. The project details will not be updated anymore.
Context
The entire regional triangle created by the cities of Wuppertal, Solingen and Remscheidt is affected by strong structural change. After a building complex in a former stockyard and slaughterhouse in the “Elberfeld” district of Wuppertal (pop. 365.000) fell into disuse at the end of the last century, several media companies decided to settle there. Under the name “VillaMedia”, the project makes a positive contribution to the structural change in a formerly industrial region.
Project description
At the end of the 1990s, six media companies merged into a Corporate Media Network on their own initiative. The company network is an attempt at benefiting from intensive cooperation within a growing combine of specialized companies. The companies moved into the administration buildings of the former stockyard and slaughterhouse together, where they then established „VillaMedia". Office spaces, event rooms and an event restaurant were installed in a complex comprising several historic buildings. The businesses to settle here include PR agents, graphic designers, photographers, radio and sound engineers, business consultants and EDP managers. As the VillaMedia concept has proved itself - it includes 18 companies with approximately 150 employees at the time of writing - the project was extended by VillaMedia 2 and 3 in neighbouring building sections. VillaMedia 4 will follow in spring 2005. The success of VillaMedia is primarily based on independent companies with competitive experience. The company profiles complement one another, so that additional market segments can be served in cooperatively designed projects. In its owner, Villa Media at the same time features a project developer or “motor” for the project’s overall development who is familiar with the media business and hence able to gage which companies are required for a creative milieu. The commercial use is augmented by various events organized in cooperation with the regional cultural and event scene. VillaMedia hence understands itself as a public space for events such as the large “after work party”, for example, which is held weekly and has decisively contributed to the project’s attractiveness and renown. Companies host conferences and workshops in the rooms of the villa, which are also dedicated to festivities over the weekends. At the time of writing, additional media businesses with over 400 employees have already settled in an area measuring approximately 15.000 m² in the immediate environment of VillaMedia. VillaMedia is to be further developed into the “Media Park Wuppertal – Event Centre NRW” as part of the NRW state programme for the city triangle Wuppertal, Solingen, Remscheid called “Regionale 2006”.
Project chronology
Year | Event |
---|---|
1996 | Initial project idea |
1998 | Start of conversion activities and inauguration of “VillaMedia 1” |
1999 | Purchase of sister building |
2000 | Inauguration of “VillaMedia 2” |
2001 | Concept for the expansion of the project „VillaMedia“ into „Mediapark Wuppertal – Event Centre NRW“ as part of Regionale 2006 |
2002 | Inauguration of “VillaMedia 3” |
2005 | Scheduled opening of “VillaMedia 4” |
Aims
- Managing structural change
- Boosting the region’s competitive edge
- Strengthening the media location Wuppertal
- Improving the competitive situation of involved companies
- Linking work with cultural creativity
Types of measures
- Establishment of a company network
- Gradual conversion of a former slaughterhouse into a media centre
- Settlement of media companies
- Organization of events and conferences
- Integration of the project in the regional business promotion strategy
Innovations
The competitive advantages enjoyed by the companies involved in VillaMedia near Wuppertal include spatial proximity, content specialization and intensive cooperation. The project was successful in developing new economic perspectives for the town and the region in the former site of a slaughterhouse. In addition to this, a lively inner city area has been created here by involving the regional event and cultural scene. The steady expansion of the project and its further development as part of “Regionale 2006” underscore the enterprise’s exemplary character.
Quellen
- The „Regionale“ agency „Regionale 2006 Agentur GmbH“ (n.y.): Lebendige Unternehmenskultur im Bergischen Städtedreieck. Eine Dokumentation (Living Business Culture in the Regional City Triangle. A Documentation). See: http://www.regionale2006.de
- Regionale 2006 Agentur GmbH (2003): Die Regionale 2006 in Wuppertal (The „Regionale“ 2006 in Wuppertal). Wuppertal.
- Uebrick (2003): Neues Zentrum Döppersberg. Vom Hauptbahnhof zum Mediapark (New Centre Döppersberg. From the Station to the Media Park); In: “Polis” magazine. Stadtbericht zur Planung und Entwicklung – Bergisches Städtedreieck Remscheid, Solingen, Wuppertal (City Report on Planning and Development – City Triangle Remscheid, Solingen, Wuppertal). issue 2/2003, p. 16-19
- http://www.mediapark-wuppertal.de
- http://www.villamedia.de
Letzte Änderung: 28.02.2018