The years had taken their toll on the former Lohring House, named for its location on Lohring Street. But the DGC Group—specialists in transforming troubled properties—saw potential where others saw decline. They acquired and meticulously redeveloped the building through challenging market conditions, a turning point the company wanted to commemorate. The project name remained in English at completion, a fitting choice: the Milestone building now stands as a confident statement on Bochum's skyline.

The developers inherited a building in its final chapter. Originally built as a hotel and apartment complex, it later housed municipal offices in the 1980s before being subdivided into residential and commercial units with over 50 separate owners by the 1990s. Inevitable decline followed, compounded by critical fire safety violations that forced closure. The renovation began with daunting constraints: a simple 12-storey structure with only one stairwell and ceiling heights of just 2.50 metres. Unforeseen obstacles – the pandemic, material shortages, soaring construction costs – delayed the start, but once work began in 2021, progress accelerated dramatically. By 2022, reconstruction was underway, and within ten months the first tenants had moved in. The team stripped the building to its concrete skeleton, rebuilt and insulated the roof, and created a façade that echoes the original design with horizontal banding in soft grey tones. The new curtain wall is aluminium with rear ventilation, paired with aluminium-framed windows. Office spaces are climate-controlled through ceiling convectors on a two-pipe system, with energy supplied by a heat pump integrated with geothermal technology.

Each floor houses approximately 320 m² of office space, designed with fire safety in mind. Open floor plans, flexible layouts, and glass partitions flood the spaces with natural light and create an inviting atmosphere. Flooring combines carpet, vinyl, and select epoxy resin finishes. The sophisticated palette of grey tones with subtle blue accents carries throughout. Exposed concrete elements add character and texture where the design called for it. The 12th floor goes further, offering conference and lounge areas available for both in-house and external rental. This mixed-use approach captures the contemporary spirit—seamlessly blending work and lifestyle. Offices, bistro, concierge services, childcare, fitness facilities, and event spaces create a comprehensive ecosystem for modern urban living.

www.dgc-gruppe.de

Photography:
Belichtet | Pepe Basenau

(From CUBE Ruhrgebiet 02|24)