Urban living, reimagined with verdant spaces
A residential neighborhood in Essen that blends exceptional quality of life with thoughtful, innovative services
The BelleRü residential quarter on Veronika Street anchors itself in Essen's vibrant Rüttenscheid district. Rüttenscheider Straße—affectionately known as "Rü"—pulses with energy: independent shops, diverse dining, a neighborhood in constant motion. BelleRü embraces this spirit while offering a counterpoint: a verdant sanctuary amidst urban vitality. Interboden, partnering with goetzenarchitekten of Ratingen, has shaped some 9,000 m² into a thoughtfully designed green oasis. Across multiple residential buildings, 70 apartments—ranging from 52 to 142 m²—await residents seeking both connection and tranquility.
The street-facing façade features a five-story residential building divided into three sections, stretching nearly the full width of the plot. Expansive glazed stairwells and a façade alternating white plaster with light clinker create an inviting, airy character. Set deeper into the courtyard, five lower-rise residential buildings soften the composition. Three of these showcase a distinctive curved balcony on the first and second floors—a delightful accent. Across a cherry tree-lined path stand two additional complexes, their maisonette apartments and generous garden terraces evoking the charm of townhouses. Throughout, apartments blend sophisticated design with intelligent spatial planning: open living areas flow generously, expansive balconies capture light and views, and select units feature dual balconies to embrace the sun's journey. Ground-floor residents enjoy private garden access, while penthouse dwellers command sweeping roof terraces. Smart home systems provide seamless climate and security control. The BelleRü app connects residents to curated services—housekeeping, laundry, parcel management, and more. An underground parking structure serves all buildings via convenient stairwells and elevators.
The neighborhood's character fundamentally flows from its generous landscaping—a vision that extends from green roofs through thoughtfully designed gardens and pathways that foster genuine community engagement. The courtyard entrance, marked by a graceful gated passage, opens onto a spacious plaza of textured concrete pavers. From this point, a central walkway guides residents toward the rear buildings, concluding at a second expansive plaza where an elliptical bench of exposed concrete invites pause and reflection. Broad steps and seating terraces then lead naturally to the children's play area. Throughout, private gardens are framed by carefully maintained hedgerows.
Photography Credits:
Interboden Group
(Published in CUBE Ruhrgebiet 03|20)