City centre development Demolition of Südüberbauung is complete as works continue at Bonn main station
Bonn · The unpopular building complex in front of Bonn main station (Südüberbauung) is history. Work can now start on its replacement – the new Maximilian Centre. Preparations for the renovation of the station’s hall roof are also in full swing.
The unpopular building complex in front of Bonn main station finally lies in ruins and now there is a clear view onto Bonn main station until works begin on the new Maximilian Centre. The last time this view appeared was at the start of the 1970s, when historic houses in front of the station and the Kaiserhalle were demolished as part of the construction of the underground system.
The Dutch investor, Ten Brinken, wants to build the Maximilian Centre by 2019. The investor has said the main tenant in the 100 million Euro project will be Primark, the British discount clothing shop.
Preparations for the renovation of the hall roof at Bonn main train station are also in full swing. Steel platforms were built at the end of July on rail platforms 1 and 2/3 and between Tuesday 22 August and Saturday 26 August, the four horse chestnut trees in the front row alongside the Line 61 and 62 tram stops will be cut down.
Deutsche Bahn’s press office said on Friday that the trees will be cut down between midnight and 4am when no public transport is running because the overhead tram cabling needs to be turned off. They need to be cut down to make room for construction site equipment. The revolving tower crane needed for the renovation of the station’s hall roof will stand on the site. The crane will be used to remove the hall roof’s cast steel construction piece by piece. It will then be restored.
Initially, Deutsche Bahn wanted to cut down the row of chestnut trees by platform 1, but Bonn regional council only gave permission for the most northerly tree to be cut down. However, Deutsche Bahn were not satisfied, saying they needed sufficient space between the crane and the Maximilian Centre works opposite, where a crane tipped over several weeks ago. The current solution is a compromise.
(Original text: lis. Translated by Kate Carey.)
