After multiple shifts, the shopping stamp Westfield Hamburg-Übersekartier opens its doors in the afternoon. At 2.30 p.m. the official opening with Mayor Peter Tschentscher (SPD) and invited guests planned. From 4:00 p.m., all visitors can come to the large area in one of the many restaurants.
According to the operator Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW), over half of the brands and concepts represented in the neighborhood are not yet represented in the city center of Hamburg. A third is not yet located in the Hanseatic city, such as the fashion shops Breuninger, Stradivarius, Oysho, Karl Lagerfeld Or Luis Trenker as well as the digital art center port of the Lumières and the Lego experience world. URW expects more than 16 million visitors annually in the medium term.
The British singer and actress Rita Ora should actually appear at the end of April 2024 at the originally planned opening of the shopping center. Now your performance is not planned for the premiere, but on June 21.
Investment of more than 2.4 billion euros
Persistent problems on the construction site had caused a shift in the opening date several times, and the costs also continued to climb. URW recently put the total investments at 2.45 billion euros. The company had been sharply criticized in the past because of the conditions on the construction site. Five workers died in October 2023. A scaffolding fell into a elevator shaft on the site.
Protest of the union IG Bau
Among other things, because of this incident, the IG Bau union Hamburg For a protest on the edge of the opening ceremony invited under the motto “Your Mall – Our Grave”. The Co-parliamentary group leader of the left in the citizens, David Stoop, criticized: “The Senate completely failed when checking security on the construction site.”
According to the public prosecutor, the investigation continues. “They are managed because of the initial suspicion of negligent killing and are directed against unknown,” said a spokeswoman on request. “The cause of the collapse is just as much a part of the continuous investigation as the responsibilities that may exist.”
170 areas are ready
The Westfield Überseequartier is said to have a floor area of 419,000 square meters over 13 buildings. A cruise terminal as well as hotels and offices are also part of the planning, and work is still running there. 170 areas for retail, gastronomy and leisure are planned. According to the information, that alone is 94,000 square meters. 95 percent are rented.
Even in times of strong online trade, Thomas Krüger, professor of urban planning at the Hafencity University of Hamburg, is convinced that the concept will work. The overseas quarters will combine trade with experiences, diverse gastronomy and high quality of stay, reported Krüger. The investor would attract various target groups with events. “To make the completely new – and probably unique – shopping destination with cruise terminal in HafenCity.”
What will become of the city center?
There is a lot of discussion about what the mega project means for the future of downtown Hamburg. “Hamburg has a strong inner city that will attract many people with its impressive historical building culture, many special places and the unique Alster in the future,” said the Senator for Urban Development, Karen Pein (SPD), the dpa. Brigitte Allkemper from City Management emphasized that it was important to work on the connecting axis between the shopping opportunities on the Inner Alster and Elbe.
The North Trade Association expects the competition to be tightened. “The retail trade in Hamburg, especially in the city, has to make an effort in order to keep up with the large and attractive offer,” said the managing director in Hamburg, Brigitte Nolte. The new neighborhood is also an opportunity for the Hamburg location. It will have a high suction effect and numerous visitors from the metropolitan region and beyond.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 250408-930-426679/1
