A new world-class opera house has been proposed for the Baakenhöft development in Hamburg's HafenCity. The plans envisage an outstanding architectural object that will provide the Hamburg State Opera with the best possible conditions and make this special location on the Elbe accessible to everyone.
An Outstanding Opera House for Hamburg
Following an initiative by art patron Klaus-Michael Kühne, the Senate, the Hamburg State Opera, and the Kühne Foundation have been in close contact for several months regarding the construction of a new opera house. In order for this architecturally outstanding building to benefit the entire city, the Senate has selected the Baakenhöft area, a former shipyard, as the State Opera’s new central location.
Building on centuries of history, the new opera house in the HafenCity neighbourhood will provide a new, world-class home of outstanding quality and international appeal for the State Opera, the Hamburg Ballet and the Hamburg Philharmonic State Orchestra. The project will also open up the Baakenhöft quarter as a special place in Hamburg and make it accessible to all.
‘This will be a place for outstanding art open to everyone! We will build on the long tradition of a people’s opera house and continue writing the history of opera in Hamburg.’
– Carsten Brosda, Senator of Culture and Media
The current listed opera house between Gänsemarkt and Dammtorbahnhof station will be preserved as it will continue to be used for cultural purposes. If the new development plan should fail to be realised, a comprehensive renovation and modernisation of the current building would be necessary to enable state-of-the-art opera productions in the future.
Further Information
The Hamburg city administration will develop the property with the Kühne Foundation in charge of financing the construction of the opera house. After completion, ownership of the building will pass to the city and the Hamburg State Opera will move into the new building. The current opera house, which is steeped in tradition and listed for monumental protection, will be used for other cultural performances.
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