The Andreas Quartier through the ages
From the mists of history into tomorrow
The Andreas Quartier is situated on a site that attracted people as an appealing place to settle even before Düsseldorf was founded. This is indicated by finds from the Germanic era that were made during the construction work. Shards of Venetian glass, in turn, testify to the prosperity of the inhabitants in later eras.
From the 17th century onwards, the area of the urban quarter between Mühlenstraße and Ratinger Straße was used initially for Düsseldorf's first opera house, the ducal riding school, the governor's palace of the Duke of Jülich and Berg and a monastery – until a magnificent Palace of Justice was built here from 1913 onwards, which today shines in new splendour with a modern use.
Two courts, one building
The Palace of Justice is built
The origins of the Düsseldorf Local Court date back to 1811, when the Grand Duchy of Berg established the Düsseldorf Court of the Peace. In 1820, this court was placed under the newly created Düsseldorf Regional Court, which in turn had emerged from the district court established after the Prussian takeover of the courts of Berg in 1814.
In 1913, construction of the new court building began on Mühlenstraße, on the site of the old early classical governor's palace of the Duchy of Jülich-Kleve-Berg. Owing to the First World War, the construction work continued until 1923.
Magnificent Wilhelminian architecture
A monument of its time
Architect Felix Dechant designed the building as a multi-wing complex grouped around five courtyards. The street-side façade of the neo-Baroque structure was faced with clinker bricks, thereby picking up on the early modern brick architecture of the old town.
Ionic columns and allegorical figures above them adorn the magnificent portal and give it its special character.
Functional new buildings of the 1950s
Administrative building on Ratinger Straße
From the 1950s onwards, extensions were built on the rear side of the property, on Ratinger Straße. They were intended to meet the court's increased space requirements. These conversions and extensions comprised several two- to five-storey buildings as well as a ten-storey office tower. Despite these extensions, the building was abandoned in 2010 because it no longer met the requirements of a modern court.
The creation of the Andreas Quartier
From court to luxury residence
In 2007, the real estate project developer FRANKONIA Eurobau acquired the almost 18,000-square-metre property, including the former court buildings. In addition to a hotel and restaurant areas, mainly luxury residences were planned in the listed part.
The rather unsightly administrative buildings were demolished and replaced by modern new buildings for residential and office use as well as green courtyard gardens.
The Andreas Quartier today
A neighbourhood comes to life
After extensive construction work, which also included archaeological investigations and restoration work in collaboration with the heritage protection authority, the Andreas Quartier was completed in 2017. The historic elements of the former court have been skilfully complemented by modern architecture, giving the ensemble a unique charm.
Today, the Andreas Quartier comprises around 400 residential units, a three-level underground car park with 636 parking spaces and numerous gastronomy and service offerings. The former administrative wasteland has been transformed into a liveable and vibrant urban quarter.
Historic preservation and modernisation
Challenges in the redesign.
The conversion of the historic building into modern residential and commercial space presented the planners with numerous challenges. In particular, the preservation of the listed areas such as the entrance hall and the corridors was controversial.
Despite the new owner's concerns, these large circulation areas were largely preserved, with some corridor space on the upper floors being converted into bathrooms and kitchens.
A new district is emerging
The Andreas Quartier today.
After extensive construction work, which also included archaeological investigations, the Andreas Quartier was completed in autumn 2017.
The historic elements of the former local court have been skilfully integrated into the modern architecture, giving the quarter a unique charm.
Today, the Andreas Quartier comprises around 400 residential units, a three-level underground car park with 636 parking spaces and numerous gastronomy and service offerings. The former administrative wasteland has been transformed into a liveable and vibrant urban quarter.
Combining old and new
Modern quality of life within historic walls
The Residences at Andreas Quartier, including luxurious penthouses and spacious apartments, offer modern comfort in a charming, historic setting.
The high-quality furnishings and well-thought-out floor plans create a special quality of living that both respects the history of the place and meets contemporary demands.
A vibrant district
Culture and quality of life
in the Andreas Quartier.
Today, the Andreas Quartier is a vibrant district that has a lot to offer both residents and visitors. With its restaurants, cafés and cultural facilities, it is a place for people to meet and enjoy themselves.
Its central location in Düsseldorf's Old Town also makes it an ideal starting point for exploring the city.
An example of successful urban renewal
The future of the Andreas Quartier
The Andreas Quartier is an example of a successful combination of historic preservation and modern urban development. The careful integration of historic building fabric into a contemporary utilisation concept has created a new urban space that preserves the rich history of Düsseldorf while meeting the needs of today's urban society.
This project shows how historic buildings can be successfully led into the future.
