Plans for a new opera house at the Baakenhof to be carried out by Hamburg authorities
The city of Hamburg is set to welcome a new cultural gem, with the establishment of a project company for a new opera house scheduled for 2025. The Baakenhöft in Hamburg's Hafencity has been chosen as the location for this architectural marvel, with construction slated to begin in 2030 and completion expected by mid-2034.
The new opera house, designed to connect architecture and urban society, will be a public cultural venue that offers more than just performances. It will feature a large auditorium, secondary and rehearsal stages, a chorus hall, spaces for the orchestra and ballet, and a studio stage. The facility will also boast generous foyer areas and catering facilities, making it a prime location for encounters and events.
The city of Hamburg and the KĂŒhnestiftung have agreed to jointly fund the project, with the city bearing site-specific costs of 147.5 million euros, while the KĂŒhnestiftung provides up to 330 million euros. However, critics have raised questions about whether the costs will remain within the given framework, with the Taxpayers' Association expressing doubts.
To ensure transparency and fairness, a jury, with a majority of representatives of public interests, will decide on the winning design in November 2025. Five architecture offices have been selected to develop designs for the new opera house by the end of 2025.
The Senate has paved the way for the construction of this new cultural landmark, seeing it as an important contribution to Hamburg's cultural landscape. The costs for the city will remain capped at 147.5 million euros. After the completion of the building, the building and the company shares will be transferred to the city.
A binding cost estimate can only be created after the jury's decision on the winning design. Despite the concerns, the new opera house is expected to be a beacon of culture and art in Hamburg, offering a unique blend of architecture, performance, and community engagement.
