Drachenfels in Königswinter New construction delayed
Construction was suppose to begin in spring of 2016 on a new administration building and restaurant at the Drachenfels but there are no signs of movement.
When you come to the end of Drachenfelsstraße, there is a sign which cannot be overlooked. It reads, “Die Drachenfelsbahn Wächst”, stating that the Drachenfels infrastructure will grow with a new administrative building and adjoining restaurant. An artist’s rendering captures the new vision, and the building start date is given as spring of 2016, but it’s already fall and nothing has happened.
Although building permits had been issued for the design of Düsseldorf architect Hannes Ehehalt, it seems plans have changed. Director Klaus Hacker says they are still considering what to do on the site and that a 2016 begin was an ambitious wish.
Meanwhile, the Advisory Board has become aware of a new building planned on Winzerstraße 2, which will be a huge construction site in the coming years. According to current plans, a pedestrian and bicycle underpass that has been planned for decades will finally come to fruition in 2019/2020. It is also to be accessible for the physically impaired.
Other changes to the site are also being considered as well as different concepts about where to put the restaurant, and keeping the current gastronomy afloat during the three years expected for the construction of a new restaurant. An idea is being discussed to tear down the old administration building and replace it with a restaurant, which would give a larger outdoor seating possibility.
Hacker says the overarching concept is to build something attractive with an offer of high-quality gastronomy. It was not clear how long it would be before new plans would be in place and Hacker said he would no longer speak of any set timeframe.
(Orig. text: Hansjürgen Melzer)
