For decades, the site of Deutsche Bahn's former locomotive repair facility in Freimann hummed with activity – massive engines were serviced and restored until the early 1990s. Today, that legacy is written into the structure itself: a heritage-protected industrial hall stretching 185 metres long, 90 metres wide, and commanding a height of 18 metres, its striking neoclassical brick and window façade unmistakable. After slumbering for over 25 years, this architectural gem found new purpose in September 2021. Now, as Motorworld Munich, the meticulously restored building stands as an automotive experience unlike any other.

Step inside, and you can almost sense the echoes of the workshops past – the original industrial DNA remains strikingly intact. Towering steel girders, vintage crane tracks, and the enormous hooks that once held locomotives aloft speak to the building's storied past. Yet the most striking feature is undoubtedly the installation at the heart of the space: 120 glass display cubes stacked across four levels, designed by Munich architects Kupferschmidt. This ingenious intervention allows collectors to showcase their prized vehicles while maintaining the hall's industrial character. The revitalized space celebrates automotive culture in all its forms – everything from timeless classics to hypercars – available for visitors to admire free of charge. Motorworld operates as a full-service hub: buying and selling luxury automobiles, sports cars, and classic vehicles; e-mobility solutions; and comprehensive maintenance and restoration services. Iconic pieces include Paul Walker's legendary blue Nissan Skyline GT-R from "The Fast and the Furious" and Muhammad Ali's personal Rolls Royce. The culinary offerings match the venue's ambition: restaurants spanning Italian cuisine to the Motorworld Inn, styled as a nostalgic workshop complete with vehicles suspended from the ceiling and seating beneath hydraulic lifts. There's also a boutique coffee roastery and carefully curated shops. For extended stays, the four-star Ameron München Motorworld Hotel – a two-storey structure with a striking mirrored and artistically rendered façade – is seamlessly integrated into the hall as a house-within-house solution. Many rooms and the Vitality Spa offer unobstructed views of the automotive spectacle below. The 156 designer rooms pay homage to motorsport heritage, finished with striking minimalist Vola bathroom fixtures. The hotel's three "Car & Bike Studios" take the experience further: guests can park their vehicles directly in their rooms, visible at all times through expansive floor-to-ceiling glass panels.

www.vola.de
www.kupferschmidt.de
www.motorworld.de

Photography Credits:

Wolfgang Pulfer

(Published in CUBE Munich, Issue 01|22)