Between the old town and the remains of a 16th-century citadel fortress (now recalled only by Citadellstraße), the Old Security Harbour emerged and eventually evolved into today's harbour basin. Surrounded by characteristic old-town uses, it has become an attractive residential address. For decades, a nondescript four-storey post-war structure dominated the waterfront—an awkward fit between the Hetjens and Film Museums and the 1980s residential complex opposite. The new Carlstadtufer, designed by Düsseldorf architects Konrath und Wennemar, honors the development plan's footprint while introducing a refined urban response to the surrounding ensemble.

The new Carlstadtufer deliberately maintains the four-storey profile of its predecessor, which was razed to its foundation. Like its forerunner, it aligns with the building lines established in the development plan. Yet for the first time, a striking gable projection reaches toward the water, visually anchoring the harbour and creating a distinctive landmark along the Rhine promenade. The top floor has been sensitively elevated while harmonizing with historic neighbors—notably, the attic steps down gracefully to align with the Hetjens Museum's third-floor cornice. Rather than add another clinker brick facade to the heterogeneous mix, the architects chose a refined plaster finish with broom texture and brick base. Its light tone asserts the building's distinct identity while simultaneously unifying the whole waterfront composition. Stone-framed windows and discretely routed downpipes reinforce its refined character and ground it naturally within the old-town fabric. The development accommodates 15 residential units of varying sizes and ground-floor retail. An auto lift—not a car ramp—accesses the underground garage, eliminating disturbance to neighboring restaurants. From the west-facing loggias, residents enjoy sweeping views across the harbour basin toward the Rhine.

www.konrath-wennemar.de

Photography Credits:

Konrath + Wennemar
Tim Ribrock

(Featured in CUBE Düsseldorf 01|20)