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Wuppertal on track to become a shopping city
An outlet worthy of a major city should tempt consumers to return to the city center
Wuppertal, 29th May 2015 – A press conference provided an opportunity for the investor, the Clees Group of Companies, ATP architects engineers (Frankfurt) and the future operators ROS Retail Outlet Shopping to join forces to present the plans for the FOC Wuppertal. The ambitious project seeks to establish Wuppertal as a shopping hub of trans-regional importance by drawing consumers back to the city center.
The architecturally sophisticated concept envisages the refurbishment of the historic railway company headquarters and former “Clover Leaf” postal building and the creation of a bridge connecting the two buildings which were previously separated by a railway line as a means of opening up the complex to the city center.
Designed by ATP, the ensemble is notable for its modern and transparent design which, in the words of the client, permitted the creation of a light-filled atmosphere and spaces for relaxing which are open to the sky. In the words of the architect Klaus Schmidt, ATP Frankfurt’s Head of Design, “the retention of the historic railway company building from 1875 was a particular challenge which we sought to meet by creating external circulation spaces of both functional and visual quality. The design of the project draws on the iconic overhead railway and other landmarks of Wuppertal’s early industrial heritage.”
In the first phase – which has already been granted a building permit – the railway company premises will become home to 65 shops containing around 10,000 m² of lettable space. The second phase will include the creation of a further 13,000 m² of lettable space in the former postal building and generous areas of parking. It is also planned to create an additional 7,000 m² of lettable space as part of an external remodeling of the railway company building.
