IBA-MAP

Reiherstieg district

Mixture of Fin de Siècle Elegance, Gastronomic Diversity, and Industrial Charm


The tour, lasting about two hours, begins in the northern part of Reiherstieg, a late nineteenth- century style district right on the lively Stübenplatz (city bus 13). The square – named after Heinrich Stüben, the proprietor of “Stübens Volksgarten” (a pre-war leisure complex popular with day-trippers) – is surrounded by many cafés, restaurants, and snack bars. For the past few years the square has been defined by its characteristic wave-form roof, under which a market is held twice weekly.

From Stübenplatz turn right into Vogelhüttendeich, and follow this street to the junction. This takes you past the Open House on your left. With its distinctive shape, the building fills a structural gap, opening at the back onto Ernst-August-Kanal. Now turn right into Georg-Wilhelm-Strasse, then, shortly after, right again into Mannesallee, and facing you is the Emmauskirche, built in 1897. Walk past the church along Mannesallee and turn left into Veringstrasse, named after the developers Carl and Hermann Vering.

Carrying on southwards in the same direction, you will come straight to Veringeck. Behind the Oriental tiled façade is a residential project for the elderly with an intercultural approach, as well as Turkish baths. Veringweg takes you past this building onto Weimarer Strasse. Continue along this street over Eckermannstrasse to Rothenhäuser Feld, which is both a multicultural meeting place for the community and a recreational park.

The structure facing you, with large windows and surrounded by a construction made of scaffolding, is the University of Neighbourhoods. The students, residents, and local companies using it will be happy to tell you about this project. Next to it is the new Centre of Language and Exercise, with a wide range of sport and training opportunities aimed at facilitating new forms of learning.

Even from here you can make out the shape of the 42 metre high Energy Bunker. Built as a defensive shelter during the Second World War, it now serves as a symbol of the “Renewable Wilhelmsburg” Climate Protection Concept. An exhibition documents the bunker’s chequered history from construction through to renovation. The observation terrace of the new Café “vju” 30 metres above ground level gives you a wonderful view over Hamburg.

To the right of the bunker a small path leads through the gardens of the Global Neighbourhood onto Weimarer Strasse. This former workers’ estate is undergoing energy-efficient renovation and modernisation that correspond with the needs of local residents. Continue along Weimarer Strasse, past Weimarer Platz Pavilion (run by the Turkish Parents’ Association and “Der Hafen”, the Association for Psychosocial Aid) and turn right at the end of the street into Rotenhäuser Strasse. A large roof structure on the right signals you have reached the World Commercial Centre, which allows local companies and start-up businesses to operate independently of the weather. When you come to Veringstrasse you will see the Bonifatiuskirche, a church built in 1987, on the left and the Gross Sand water tower.

Follow Veringstrasse northwards and turn left into Gert-Schwämmle-Weg. Before the bridge a path on the right takes you along the Veringkanal, clearly the heart of the industrial harbour area. Cross Neuhöfer Strasse and continue along the canal. On the right of the jetty is the Veringhöfe Arts and Creative Centre.

Follow the path through the park to Sanitasstrasse and up to its end. Back at Stübenplatz, the tour ends.