Interior of the Former Federal Railroad Department Revealed
In the heart of Wuppertal, Germany, a historic neoclassical building, acquired by the Clees Group in 2008, is set to undergo a new lease of life. After a long period of vacancy, the building—which will soon be home to a collaborative centre—is set to become a hub for education, employment services, and municipal activities.
The initial plan for the building was to transform it into an outlet centre, but this plan did not materialise. However, in 2022, the owners secured new partners with the city, the university, and the job centre, ending the vacancy.
Approximately half of the 25,000 square meter area will be rented by the city of Wuppertal for the next 30 years. Some of the city's key departments, including the registration office, road traffic authority, youth and social welfare office, and part of the "WupperTalent Center", will be housed in the building.
The Bergische University will move the Institute for Educational Research and the study advisory service from the main campus Grifflenberg to the building. A library with learning spaces and a small cafeteria will be opened in the west wing of the building by the university.
The job centre's services, previously dispersed across three locations in Elberfeld, will be consolidated at the train station. This consolidation will provide a more streamlined and efficient service for job seekers in the area.
The opening of the renovated building is predicted to take place in the early fall, according to Mayor Uwe Schneidewind. The entrance hall will include 50 counters, and there will be a total of 450 freely selectable workstations for the 700 employees.
Director Kirstin Degener stated that the train station's previous poor reputation is no longer an issue. The "Start.Klar" youth advisory center and the measures operation will also be located at the train station, further enhancing its reputation as a vibrant and active hub.
The exact detailed functions or programs within this centre have not been explicitly specified in the available information. However, the renovation supports the vision of a modern and suitable facility for these combined purposes, fostering synergies between the city, university, and job centre.
- The new partners secured in 2022, which include the city, the university, and the job center, have reimagined the Clees Group's 2008 acquisition – a historic neoclassical building in Wuppertal – from an outlet center to a collaborative center.
- In the near future, the city of Wuppertal will lease approximately half of the 25,000 square meter area in the renovated building for the next 30 years, housing key departments like the registration office, road traffic authority, youth and social welfare office, and part of the "WupperTalent Center".
- To further augment the collaborative hub, the Bergische University will move the Institute for Educational Research and the study advisory service from the main campus, creating a library with learning spaces and a small cafeteria within the building.
