The Carlswerk in Cologne's Mülheim district has been enjoying growing popularity as an urban quarter for several years now. However, this is not the first time that the location, which is now mainly used for media and cultural purposes, has attracted such attention.
The history of Carlswerk dates back to the 19th century, when one of the most famous wire and cable manufacturers started production here. Even today, the old brick buildings with their large lattice windows and thick steel roof structures are reminiscent of times gone by, when the Felten & Guilleaume rope factory began producing cables and wires here in 1874. The company grew through the acquisition of various company shares, such as the Clouth factory in Nippes, and expanded its product range to include electrical cables and wires. Guilleaume began producing cables and wires here in 1874. The company grew immensely through the acquisition of various company shares, such as the Clouth factory in Nippes, and at its peak employed over 23,560 people. In addition to the first transatlantic telephone cable, which enabled telephone calls between Germany and America for the first time in 1904, components of the Rhine cable car and the Rodenkirchen and Mülheim bridges, for example, were also produced at Carlswerk.
After production ceased, an international investor purchased the site. From this point on, a complex renovation process began in several stages, which lasted until mid-2010. One after another, the more than 20 abandoned buildings, which were constructed between 1896 and 1984, were extensively renovated. A high-quality commercial campus was built around the centerpiece, the 103-meter-long main building. Despite difficult conditions imposed by historic preservation requirements and necessary changes in use, the project developer managed to preserve the historic style of the former production facility and create approximately 126,000 square meters of office lofts and restaurants, as well as space for cultural activities. Once the first buildings were completed, the first companies from the media industry moved in, and the range of restaurants was expanded to include leisure facilities such as a bouldering hall and the Schauspiel Köln theater.
The Carlswerk therefore offers an ideal environment not only for commercial users. Thanks to its diversity, the district blends in well with its surroundings and at the same time offers real added value for the residents of Mülheim. Carlswerk Viktoria, for example, serves as an event venue for up to 1,600 people in an industrial setting. The well-known event locations "E-Werk" and "Palladium" are also located in the immediate vicinity.
The idea and implementation of upgrading the formerly derelict neighborhood has made a major contribution to the attractiveness of the entire district. Mülheim is more popular than it has been for a long time – among businesses and residents alike.
