Bunkers - also known as shelters, are a very popular form of architecture in areas where wars have occurred. Until today, when all wars have become a thing of the past, these ancient structures are being abandoned despite their large area.
Current image of the St.Pauli bunker in Hamburg
The St. Pauli bunker on Feldstraße station in Hamburg (Germany) is such a place, it was created by the Nazis during World War II to shelter and fire anti-aircraft fire at allied aircraft. According to the city of Hamburg, the St. Pauli bunker was built in 1942 and completed in just 300 days by more than 1,000 forced laborers from concentration camps. During the 1943 air raids on Hamburg, it is estimated that nearly 30,000 Hamburg residents were saved by this sturdy bunker.
St. Pauli was built in just 300 days to serve in World War II.
After the war, there were several plans to demolish the St. Pauli bunker, but its walls were too thick, reaching over 3.5 meters in places. The amount of explosives needed to destroy the structure would also have destroyed the surrounding residential buildings. Therefore, the city of Hamburg canceled the expensive and dangerous demolition plan. Since then, the site has been turned into a common site for a number of civic and public projects. People took advantage of the bunker's extremely thick walls to turn it into a perfect soundproof place: an open nightclub on the top floor, a large record store, a music school... And now, a luxury hotel will be built on this historic site.
The NH Hotel Group has won this special contract. A “nhow Hamburg” hotel will be built with 136 rooms, including a bar, a cafe and a luxury restaurant. The opening is planned for mid-2021.
Image of nhow Hamburg on the website of the NH Hotel Group
The St. Pauli bunker will have a spectacular roof garden. Designers have created a public park on the roof, which will house a memorial to the victims of the Nazi regime. There will also be space for culture, exhibitions and a hall for sports and entertainment events.
The proposed landscape design of the "nhow Hamburg"
"We are aware of the history of the bunker and its importance for the city of Hamburg. I am very proud that the 'nhow Hamburg' could be built in such an extraordinary and attractive location" - Maarten Markus, CEO of NH Hotel Group shared.
