Neue Mitte Passau,
Passau
Passau
2008–2012
64.250 sqm
Completed
City of Passau, Real Treuhand Projekt- und Bauträger GmbH, Kapfinger Group
Commercial zone. Cinema, trade, services, gastronomy, underground car park and town square design
The historic old town of Passau is a unique world cultural heritage site. For many years, discussions revolved around finding an adequate solution to the urban planning problem of the Kleiner Exerzierplatz and the dilapidated Nibelungenhalle. An investor acquired the approx. 8.2 hectare site in a prime inner city location from the city in order to remove the unattractive eyesore from the urban fabric and to establish new uses.
The main idea developed by Kehrbaum Architekten for the “New Centre Passau” was to combine the existing cloister garden and the old town pedestrian zone with a new customer experience-oriented department store, office space, cultural facilities, cinemas and the central bus station. The design planning envisaged the expansion of this area, a redesigned forum, a service building and a centre with a rooftop restaurant on the 10th floor next to the market square. Retail areas were planned for the lower level, and above it spacious rooms for cultural use. The basement would house a multiplex cinema with seven halls and a parking area. To counteract the notorious lack of parking space in Passau, two underground and seven open parking levels with approx. 1,000 parking spaces were planned. In addition, a large part of the site was to include the cloister garden.
More than 1,000 parking spaces in an ultra-modern multi-storey car park solves the parking problem in Passau
The city of Passau followed the basic ideas of Kehrbaum Architekten and was taken with the idea of “urban repair”. However, they required an architectural competition to be held. The first prize winner adopted the ideas of Kehrbaum Architekten, specified form and height development and provided ideas for façades. On this basis, a development plan was drawn up, which not only included this quarter, but also other city blocks, ultimately covering an area of approx. 23,000 square meters. These included the central bus transfer station, the EZE Centre, the crossing of Ludwigstrasse, the Nibelungen Passage and the adjacent streets and paths. This mammoth task posed an enormous challenge to politicians but also to the citizens of Passau. Finally, a citizens’ petition made it clear that the majority of citizens supported the path taken. All planning took place in close cooperation with the Bavarian State Office for Monument Conservation (LFD) and even with the European Monument Protection Agency.
Seven cinemas in one complex and the longest pedestrian crossing in Germany convey a metropolitan flair
In addition to outstanding architecture, an energy concept was developed that focused on district heating and the low-energy standard. The entire Neue Mitte Passau was implemented as an extension of the historic old town. Existing structures in the old town were thoughtfully combined with the new planning and even strengthened. In addition, the longest pedestrian crossing in Germany (70 m) created a demand-oriented connection between the old and new centre.
