Kiel (pronounced keel) is the capital and most populous city in the northern German state of Schleswig-Holstein. With a population of about 250,000, it is Germany’s largest city on the Baltic Sea, known as a maritime city due to its numerous artificial and natural waterways and its many summer sailing regattas that take place. Unfortunately, Kiel’s downtown area, where its post-industrial harbor area is located, has seen better days.

City officials and most residents would like to see better housing and more international tourists in the city center. Recently, however, Rotterdam-based MVRDV architectural firm is doing something about center city’s neglect by planning a large revitalization project for the city’s historic neighborhood.

© MVRDV

The designers are thinking big, offering blueprints and photos of a large mixed-use complex of new residences, two new hotels, more green spaces, and ultra-modern buildings with rooftop parks and exciting architecture. MVRDV is using the marketing name KoolKiel to spur interest in the project, and city residents, along with other Europeans (and Americans who know about it) are showing interest in visiting and possibly moving there.

Construction has already started in KoolKiel, and MVRDV has been holding community meetings, asking local residents what they need most to fill up all the new streets and residential and commercial buildings to be built. The 925,700-square-foot project has become one of Germany’s key redevelopment projects, not only because of its size, but also because of its planned futuristic urban architecture and its willingness to incorporate the community’s ideas into the project, a rarity in most new revitalizations.

© MVRDV

The project will be built in three phases, the first phase set for completion in summer 2027. Transforming an older harbor site into a modern mixed-use quarter is an expensive challenge, but Kiel has decided to go all-in. In June, the official start of construction was marked by a groundbreaking ceremony where city officials, developers and other stakeholders signaled the start of construction at the site. The first phase, known as Wulf, will see the construction of 154 housing units on the eastern plot side.

In the second construction phase, two hotel towers will be built in the northern section of the site, while in the third phase, an additional 180 apartments will be developed on the site of a historic building, originally a large one-story structure used for storing chains for ships, and now known as Medienzentrum W8 building. This structure is still home to a variety of companies, mostly working in the creative industries, as well as a dining venue and a photographer’s office. Although the plan is for new residential apartments to be constructed above the building, long-time Kiel residents are hoping the building can be saved without any changes.

© MVRDV

The long-time residency of business tenants and residents in the district, like those still working at Medienzentrum W8, has given the neighborhood a unique and charismatic identity, which strongly influenced MVRDV’s subsequent design for the new buildings. Lively exterior public spaces are key to the project’s success, and green spaces have been designed to be placed between the buildings for the enjoyment of residents, shoppers and visitors, while a park or an activities area may show up on the rooftop of one of the buildings.

“In a location with such a dynamic and creative existing community, we wanted to retain the same social and architectural diversity, liveliness, and complexity,” said Jacob van Rijs, principal and cofounder, MVRDV. “KoolKiel is not only inspired by the surrounding community, it is also tailored to the ambitions of the people living in the entire city of Kiel.”

© Oliver Franke

The city is hoping the new project will spur more visitors to the city.  The two hotel towers will be connected by shops and cultural venues.  One of the towers will feature unique, staggered cantilevers, becoming a new landmark hotel for the city, while the other tower will provide space for shops and cultural venues, ready to welcome international business and leisure visitors.