Anyone heading Westfield Hamburg-Überseequartier by ship soon will recognize this mighty building from afar. The design by the architects Lederer Ragnarsdóttir Oei rises up in the front row in a monumental way. Only when viewed up close, the many details stand out from the reddish bricks. These include the archways that span the lower floors around the building. “In our concept we were inspired by the Doge’s Palace in Venice,” explains Prof. Arno Lederer, Managing Director of Lederer Ragnarsdóttir Oei. Like the former seat of government of the Lords of Venice, the design by the Stuttgart architectural firm is located directly on the waterfront – an impressive sight.
How a piece of Venice comes to Hamburg
Lederer still remembers exactly the first time he saw the Doge’s Palace in Venice. In the second part of our interview series “Architecture at Westfield Hamburg-Überseequartier” he tells us how moments like these shape designs of today:
Watch the interview with Prof. Arno Lederer here:
Working and shopping with an Elbe River view
Located between Luv & Lee and Skysegel, the office building The Yard with its red brick presents itself as a new interpretation of the classic Kontorhaus buildings. The architecture firm Lederer Ragnarsdóttir Oei focuses on large office spaces and three inspiring inner courtyards, which serve as green oases for relaxation or for inspiration and productive work with colleagues. Large glass facades illuminate the gardens in the courtyards with natural daylight. On two levels, 7,500 square meters of office space for 700 workstations will be created.
But on the Elbe River banks not only new ideas are realized in the best working atmosphere. The office and department store invites you to take a relaxed lunch break and go for a walk, because the sun can be enjoyed especially well directly on the waterfront. Under the impressively curved arcades of the building, however, there is also a place to linger in typical Hamburg “Schietwetter” (foul weather) – for example at the LEGOLAND Discovery Centre, which will open at this location in the second half of 2023. On the lower two levels, a paradise for shopping enthusiasts is being created here, who do not want to miss the view over Elbe River even while shopping.
