The new Große Bleichen 19 office and commercial building was constructed on the plot adjoining the listed building of the Alte Post (the Old Post Office) at the lively Bleichenfleet in the centre of Hamburg. The new construction fills the former gap (80m deep and only 14m wide), merging perfectly with the surrounding.
The building skilfully connects both neighbours – The Old Post Office and Galleria Hamburg – which has recently also been put under a preservation order. Taking into account their different eaves heights, it carries them on its own facade and creates an interesting interplay of levels. Thus, the building’s character becomes lively and outstanding, while the streetscape remains harmonious.
Besides the eaves height, the facades of the new office absorb the architectural language of the surrounding traditional brick buildings. Floor to ceiling windows with frames of anodized aluminium give a modest structure to the surfaces. The upper floors are underlined through light glass parapets which are reminiscent of french windows.
The retail areas of the new construction are connected with those of the existing buildings all the way through the ground and first floor as well as to both sides of the street. From the second floor up, there are small offices as well as office zones that can be connected if needed. An inner courtyard in the central part of the building ensures appropriate exposure to light for the offices.