The former slaughterhouse has been vacant since 1997 and accordingly started to deteriorate over the years. Back in 2019, a citizens’ initiative helped collect proposals on how to best renovate and repurpose the former industrial buildings. Some of these ideas will now be implemented over the coming weeks in a transition phase before the 2.5-hectare-wide site will be officially renovated.
Luxembourg City Mayor Lydie Polfer sees the potential for a new meeting place and a way to enhance the value of the entire area: “First of all, it’s a valorisation of the architectural heritage, we are at a site with industrial character that also houses protected buildings. But, we need to bring new life to them. ... We are in an area that has many schools and residential blocks, which means that the site is made for sporting and cultural activities.”
The citizens’ initiative showed that people are looking to provide a home for either type of activity. That means artistic ateliers, music studios, pop-up stores, or an athletic ground. Bars and restaurants should also be installed on site. However, according to reports, people explicitly refused that concert hall Den Atelier relocates from Rue de Hollerich to the former slaughterhouse.
Given the abundance of ideas, an architectural competition was launched and a jury convened earlier this week to assess proposals. Six made the shortlist and are thus eligible to submit concrete plans for the site by March next year.
Since the former slaughterhouse is a protected building, it cannot be torn down. That means that architects need to plan around the buildings and see how they can reorganise the area to also connect the new residential district ‘Porte de Hollerich’.
