Formerly a very densely built area of mostly medieval houses, Quartier 17 was almost completely destroyed by an air attack in 1944. The area’s immediate architectural surroundings are protected gabled houses typical of the 13th-17th century Hanseatic era, such as the impressive St. Nicolai Church, the old market, and the town hall with its red brick façade. Hence, the challenge was to construct and harmoniously integrate a mixture of several large and many small commercial and residential building layouts, facades, and gable types in a style that blended with this historic site.
“We have been working with Cemex for a long time and our cooperation is very good. Anybody can build on green field sites, but we are building on the edge of a fine ceramic plate,” says Rainer Mohns, the site manager.
Working with on-site archaeologists, the first construction phase began in the spring of 2011. This phase included a two-story underground car park using 2,500m³ of Cemex ready-mix concrete to create the foundation for 188 parking spaces, covering a space of 6,000m³.
The second construction phase of the project comprises rental area accommodating the catering industry, retail space, offices, surgeries, and apartments in five-story structures. Cemex expects to utilise freely shapeable ready-mix concrete to build inside and outside walls, ceilings, joists, and supports in a manner that respects the cultural heritage of this treasured historic city.
