The closure of Karstadt in Recklinghausen in 2016 marked the end of 123 years of department store history in the heart of the old town. It has since been replaced by MarktQuartier Recklinghausen, which has breathed new life into the prominent location. Following an intensive analysis of the location, AIP Architekten planned and implemented a property with tailor-made usage options. During the planning phase, which began in 2018, the building was temporarily used as a cultural venue. After completion in 2023, retail companies, a café with a terrace, surgeries and offices, a hotel, a daycare center and assisted living will ensure a diverse mix of uses.

The initial situation was characterized by the consequences of mining. Since 1892, a subsidence of around six meters was recorded in Recklinghausen. This was reflected in the former Karstadt building, which was tilted by up to 80 centimeters in places. The heights in the existing building and the thickness of the floor slabs also did not match the planning documents. As a result, part of the building had to be demolished, building transitions adjusted to the inclination, the horizontal loads of the columns calculated and lightweight façades planned. However, the partial demolition also opened up the possibility of a new hotel building with additional storeys. The historic façade on the market side was largely retained and opened up on the upper floors to create assisted living with loggias and red awnings. In addition, the atrium, which was closed in the 1970s, was reopened. This now features an attractive inner courtyard with plenty of greenery and a large expanse of water, which provides the property with additional light. The building next to the main building, the former ward block, was raised by two storeys and now houses a daycare center. The highlight is the outdoor area with play equipment on the roof.

The revitalization was a success, as AIP Architekten state and at the same time point out the particular challenges of this project: "The subsidence of the building caused by mining required an exceptionally high degree of precision in the execution planning, as the height had to be compensated for on all floors. When transforming an existing department store, it is therefore crucial to be aware of the possible obstacles and to find structural solutions that ensure an economical conversion." The project took second place in the "Reactivated Centers" category of the polis Award 2024.

www.aip-unternehmensgruppe.de

Photos:
Marcel Kusch
www.marcelkusch.de

(Published in CUBE Ruhr Area 03|24)