Mega Überseequartier in Hamburg: Shopping paradise on the water opens!

Mega Überseequartier in Hamburg: Shopping paradise on the water opens!

The Überseequartier is taking shape in Hamburg, the largest project of its kind in Germany. A place is being created here that invites people to live, shop and spend their free time right on the water. More than 170 shops and restaurants will invite visitors, while apartments, offices and event spaces will also be created. A very special highlight is the free shopping service, which is managed by consultant Katrin Pic. This brings a breath of fresh air to the mall, which is attracting an estimated number of visitors of around 165,000 for the first time, reports ZDF.

The anticipation was great – not only among the visitors, but also among the residents. Vanessa Overmann, a local resident, is enthusiastic about the nearby supply options and the newly designed event area. The Überseequartier is being built in Hamburg's Hafencity, between the impressive Elbphilharmonie in the west and the ultra-modern Elbtower in the east. It is intended to provide living space for around 15,000 people and, with a total cost of 2.5 billion euros, represents a massive investment step for the city.

Construction projects and challenges

But the path to the dream accommodation was anything but easy. Reported on the progress of the project NDR. Several setbacks, including an investor bankruptcy and fatal accidents at work, have put a strain on construction work. The fatal industrial accident in October 2023, in which five people lost their lives, was particularly tragic. Research by “Zeit” also uncovers miserable working conditions on the construction site, which have been making headlines for months.

Other serious incidents, such as a large-scale fire in June 2023 and various accidents with injuries to workers, testify to the risky conditions that existed on the construction site. In April 2023, a worker fell from a scaffold and a woman suffered a severe electric shock from an uninsulated cable. The checks before the fatal accident also revealed significant deficiencies, including a lack of fall protection. A case in which an unskilled worker only received 641 euros per month for full-time work, instead of the amount expected in the collective agreement, is also viewed with skepticism.

Advanced plans for Hafencity

The Hafencity itself has changed drastically since it was founded in 2008. The population has increased from just 760 to over 8,000 in 2024. This shows that the Hafencity is still very popular. New apartments are also in demand: the number rose from 549 in 2008 to over 4,150 in 2023. Compared to the average apartment size in Hamburg of 76.4 square meters, it shows that the average apartment size in Hafencity is 81.1 square meters. Particularly worth mentioning is the high proportion of social housing, which is 29.1 percent, while the Hamburg average is only 8 percent Statistics North noted.

The Überseequartier is intended to further enliven the Hafencity as a lively center and is complemented by numerous amenities. A three-story shopping and adventure center with over 150 shops and 20 restaurants, as well as cinemas and a cruise terminal are planned. Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield is ensuring that a new address is created here for everyone.

The opening, originally scheduled for April 2024, had to be postponed to the end of August 2024 due to the delays. Despite the challenges, Hamburg looks to the future with hope as the Überseequartier prepares for the big rush. Preparations for the opening ceremonies are in full swing, and ZDF is accompanying this exciting process with its report.