Overview
Photos
Biography
The Elbphilharmonie is a concert hall in the HafenCity quarter of Hamburg, Germany. The new construction sits on top of an old warehouse building (Kaispeicher A) and is designed by Swiss architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron. It is the tallest inhabited building of Hamburg, with a final height of 110 metres (360 ft). It is popularly nicknamed Elphi.
History
On 2 April 2007, the foundation stone was laid in the warehouse Kaispeicher A, in presence of then First Mayor of Hamburg Ole von Beust, Hochtief Construction AG CEO Henner Mahlstedt, Hochtief project coordinator Hartmut Wegener, Hamburg Minister of Culture Karin von Welck and architect Pierre de Meuron.
In 2007, the construction was scheduled to be finished by 2010 with an estimated cost of €241 million. In November 2008, after the original contract was amended, the costs for the project were estimated at €450 million. In August 2012, the cost were re-estimated to be over €500 million, which should also cover the increased cost for a strengthened roof.
Construction work officially ended on 31 October 2016 at a cost of €789 million, with an announced opening date of 11 January 2017. The first concert was held on 25 November 2016.
The easternmost part of the building will be rented by Westin Hamburg hotel, scheduled to open in November 2016. The upper floors west of the concert hall will accommodate 45 apartments.
Public transport
The nearest rail station is Baumwall on Hamburg Metro line 3, 400 metres (1,300 ft) away. The nearest bus stop is Am Kaiserkai, 150 metres (490 ft) away.
Ferry services
Elbphilharmonie is the name of a ferry pier, reachable from Hamburg's St. Pauli Piers.
