Demolition and reconstruction of the ‘Esso Buildings’ in Hamburg
Since 2014, the “Esso Buildings” on Spielbudenplatz, not far from Hamburg’s Reeperbahn, have been a thing of the past, yet they remain a recurring topic of discussion in the city. For years, a campaign group had fought to preserve the buildings – which were in need of renovation – and to oppose the owner’s plans to demolish them. Now it is calling for a redevelopment of the site that will help preserve the social fabric of the neighbourhood, rather than further fuelling the gentrification of St Pauli.
The positions of the investor, the city and the campaigners already seemed entrenched before a public consultation process for the planning of the new development was launched. The early involvement of local residents and the fact that the process was led by people from the neighbourhood made it a first of its kind – and led to a compromise in May 2015: the investor will be allowed a higher building density and a larger proportion of commercial space than previously planned; in return, a particularly large number of publicly subsidised flats will be built. Agreements were also reached regarding public spaces, the allocation of commercial premises and provision for cultural facilities. Construction could begin in 2017.
The ‘Esso-Häuser’ case not only illustrates various aspects of gentrification but also addresses, in very concrete terms, new forms of public participation.
