A former tax office in the village-like Heerdt district might not immediately strike you as a destination for modern living and working. Yet Düsseldorf-based developer coinel Development spotted its potential. Working with minimal material intervention, the Münster-based architects at Kresings Architekten – now also established in Düsseldorf – breathed new life into this 1980s office complex. Today, Werft16 has become a blueprint for transformation projects citywide and earned multiple accolades for its distinctive architecture and forward-thinking development approach.

Since opening, Werft16 captivates far beyond its striking golden façade. Through thoughtful renovation, expansion, and adaptive reuse, the project has achieved greater emissions savings than new construction would have provided. The building's distinctive character has been preserved and thoughtfully elevated—floor-to-ceiling windows in the expanded roof volume frame panoramic views of the Rhine and Düsseldorf's skyline. Inside, raw, exposed elements foster an inspiring loft-like ambiance that encourages both creative collaboration and social connection. This emphasis on community forms the project's beating heart. "We believe everyone benefits when we share values and resources," says Nicole Höhr, developer and managing director of coinel Development. "That's why we've created a village within a building—a thriving community where tenants pool offerings no single entity could deliver alone." From childcare to fitness facilities to networking spaces, these shared amenities generate synergies among residents. Werft16 demonstrates compellingly how to approach real estate value through a sustainable, innovative, and integrated lens. "We're witnessing profound shifts across every level of society," Höhr observes. "Living space grows scarcer and costlier while ecological impact and work-life balance demand greater priority. We need adaptable built solutions that don't merely respond to these shifts—they must anticipate them."

www.werft16.de
www.coinel.com
www.kresings.com

Photography Credits:

Nils Koenning
www.nilskoenning.com

(Published in CUBE Düsseldorf 01|23)