Standing since 1895, this protected landmark on Martinstraße in Unterbilk tells a distinctive story. Originally constructed for the Union Brewery in Düsseldorf, it sits directly beside Bilker Church in the charming Loretto district, commanding attention with its striking red-brick façade adorned with neo-Renaissance details. After decades of vacancy and deterioration, the Düsseldorf-based Küssdenfrosch property collective undertook its restoration with meticulous care. The result: a sensitively modernised heritage building that now houses five exceptional, fully accessible rental apartments.

Despite requiring extensive structural renewal, the building's historic character—virtually untouched for 130 years—was preserved with remarkable sensitivity. Every element received careful attention: original doors and frames, the stairwell with its period flooring, wooden planks throughout the apartments, and intricate ceiling stuccowork were all painstakingly restored. Significantly, it's the subtle imperfections that give these spaces their charm and distinctive atmosphere. The building welcomes residents through a street-facing main entrance, while an open passage leads to a basalt-paved courtyard with a secondary entrance. A lift installed on the courtyard side serves all five floors seamlessly, connecting via internal balconies to ensure threshold-free access to each residential unit. The lift opens directly onto private terraces, creating an elegant circulation experience. The courtyard also includes secure bicycle storage with e-bike charging facilities.

Parking was deliberately foregone, given the property's prime central location with exceptional public transport connectivity. The energy strategy is equally forward-thinking: a geothermal water-to-water heat pump system that harmonises seamlessly with the building's period character. Remarkably, the original cast-iron radiators were retained and integrated into the modern heating infrastructure.

www.kuessdenfrosch.haus

Photography:
Lasse Rotthoff
www.lasserotthoff.de

(Published in CUBE Düsseldorf 03|24)