Construction in Bad Godesberg Cars take an elevator to the parking lot
BAD GODESBERG · If you have wondered about the large building being renovated in Bad Godesberg city center, here’s a look at what to expect. Besides the usual apartments and businesses, there will also be an unusual parking facility.
Workers are still pouring concrete at one end of the building. At the other end, customers are already trying on delicate summer fabrics. The large construction site at Michaelshof in Bad Godesberg city is moving forward, but only in sections. "We have some spaces that are already in use, and some that are still just a shell construction," reported project manager Martin Schommer from the company Revis. The high demand for medical practices, with binding completion dates, has meant that the workers have not begun from the Kurpark side as planned. Schommer says they have had to adapt their construction plans to accommodate the demand.
In the area completed, there are offices and medical practices, and shops on the ground floor. "Besides the ophthalmologist, dentist, dermatologist and ENT (ears, nose, throat) specialist, an orthopedist will probably come," said Schommer. Half of the spaces have already been rented and they include a hairdresser, and the Orthomobil medical supply store, which is opening a second location. Schommer said the goal was to get small-scale renters and that talks were still going on. Only one apartment has been finished, and that is being used as a construction office. The project manager also said they had a waiting list of interested parties but he did not want to run the risk of being unable to deliver.
A tour with site manager Martin Kerkmann revealed many bare walls and dusty staircases. One interesting detail is the new car lift. A part of the building is a parking garage, which will be viewed from the outside as just louvers in the windows. Because the former office building had no parking ramps, the vehicles of tenants will be lifted by freight elevator to the parking decks.
3,600 square meters of space is available for around 50 apartments ranging in size from 50 to 120 square meters. “We are more likely to appeal to people who are in their third phase of life (retirees) and who want to live in the middle of the city with an elevator. We do not want short term rentals or subleases,” said Schommer. The apartments are expected to be ready in autumn, all of them having a balcony or roof terrace.
Schommer also talked about the challenges presented by having a construction zone in the middle of the pedestrian zone. They have to use building materials within days after delivery. Altogether, the construction period will take around two years. The building will remain in the hands of the industrial family Runkel.
The practice of ophthalmologist Ute Faller has been open at Theaterplatz 11 since January 15. She moved out of her former space at the Fronhof because she didn’t have an elevator. "Here we could enlarge and this sets us up for the future. The patients like the new space," said the ophthalmologist. Barmer insurance has also moved to the building with ten staff and a space of 300 square meters. Here, people can get information about various types of insurance, with the bureau open Monday through Thursday, 9am until 6:30pm, and Fridays from 9am until 4pm.
The women’s apparel store Robert Ley opened on the ground floor on March 17. One employee there commented, “This is a really nice location and an asset for the city center.”
(Orig. text: Bettina Köhl, Richard Bongartz; Translation: ck)
