Dortmund
Commercial building on Westenhellweg
Dortmund, Germany / 10.2023 - 12.2025
On Westenhellweg in Dortmund city centre, PORR building construction Region West modernised an existing commercial building with a gross volume of around 71,000 m³. The work involved extensive dismantling, shell construction and refurbishment, as well as the reorganisation of the building’s access arrangements.
Facts & Figures
Company
PORR Hochbau West GmbH
Type
Office buildings, Design & Build, Renovation, Commercial building
Runtime
10.2023 - 12.2025
Inner-city regeneration in a prominent location
Reorganisation of an established building complex
The building was constructed in 1959 and extended several times over the following decades. As part of the modernisation, parts of the existing building structure were demolished and the development system reorganised.
PORR’s scope of work included, amongst other things, the demolition of two stairwells, gutting work and extended structural works. On Kampstraße, a new circulation core extending across all levels was created, featuring a stairwell and lift system, which now forms the building’s main entrance. In addition, a further emergency and safety stairwell was constructed on Hansastraße and at Netanya Square.
New development for the upper floors
The new development core has also integrated the upper floors – which previously had restricted access – into the building’s structure. This benefits in particular the five-storey tower block with a stepped storey in the western part of the building.
The new lift system provides access to the various levels and complements the vertical circulation within the existing building. This has created the structural conditions necessary for a change in the use and layout of the existing spaces.
Construction whilst the city continues to function
The location directly on Westenhellweg shaped the framework conditions for the construction work. Limited space for site facilities and material deliveries had to be taken into account, as did the use of the adjacent pedestrian zone. Additional demands on site logistics arose during the Dortmund Christmas market in the immediate vicinity of the building. The project team employed Lean Construction methods to plan and coordinate the individual construction phases.
Redevelopment of the existing building stock
The project centred on the redevelopment of a building complex that had grown over several decades. Rather than replacing the existing building, existing structures were reorganised, additional access routes were created and existing building areas were prepared for further use. The aim is also to achieve DGNB certification for the modernised building. The relevant requirements were taken into account during the project’s implementation.
New conditions for future use
Through the reorganisation of developments, alterations to the existing building structure and supplementary structural work, the building has been provided with new spatial conditions for its future use. The project thus further develops an existing building complex in an inner-city location whilst retaining significant parts of the existing building fabric.
