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Bunkers, also known as shelters, are a very common type of architecture in areas that have experienced war. Even today, when all wars are a thing of the past, these ancient structures are being abandoned despite their vast size.
Current image of the St. Pauli bunker in Hamburg.
The St. Pauli bunker at Feldstraße station in Hamburg, Germany, is one such place, created by the Nazis during World War II to provide shelter and fire anti-aircraft fire against 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 saved their lives thanks to this fortified bunker.
St. Pauli was built in just 300 days to serve in World War II.
After the war, there were many plans to demolish the St. Pauli bunker, but its walls were too thick, in some places reaching over 3.5 meters. The amount of explosives needed to destroy the structure would also destroy surrounding residential buildings. Therefore, the city of Hamburg canceled the costly and dangerous demolition plan. Since then, the site has been transformed into a shared space for several civil and public projects. The bunker's incredibly thick walls have been utilized to create a perfectly soundproofed space: a nightclub on the top floor, a large record store, a music school... And now, a luxury hotel will be built on this historic site.
NH Hotel Group has won this special contract. A “nhow Hamburg” hotel will be built with 136 rooms, including a bar, café, and luxury restaurant. The opening is planned for mid-2021.
Images of Hamburg on the NH Hotel Group website.
The St. Pauli Bunker will feature a spectacular rooftop garden. The designers have created a public park on the terrace, which will include a memorial to the victims of the Nazi regime. In addition, space for culture, exhibitions, and an auditorium for sporting and recreational events will be created.
The proposed landscape design for "nhow Hamburg"
"We are aware of the history of the bunker and its importance to the city of Hamburg. I am very proud that 'nhow Hamburg' could be built in such an extraordinary and fascinating location," shared Maarten Markus, CEO of NH Hotel Group.
