Strandkai Hamburg

In HafenCity Hamburg – one of the most attractive new neighborhoods in the city – stands one of two 58-meter-high residential buildings, each containing up to 75 apartments, designed by ingenhoven associates. Our architectural firm was commissioned in 2014 after winning first prize in an international design competition, organized in close collaboration between Hamburg's Department of Urban Development and Environment and HafenCity Hamburg GmbH.

Located on the western Strandkai peninsula, the property directly borders the water, offering a unique view of the Elbe River, the Elbphilharmonie, the port, and Hamburg’s inner city. With its rhythmic façade design and distinctive rooftop structure, the residential building significantly enhances the city skyline along the Elbe.

The freestanding building sits on an artificially raised mound that acts as a protective barrier against flooding. Generous stairways lead from the elevated level down to the lower quay along the Norderelbe. These stairs extend seamlessly beneath the tower, integrating smoothly with the ground floor to form a public plaza that enhances the promenade.

The architectural concept strongly emphasizes the attractive views and the connection between interior and exterior spaces. Each apartment features spacious balconies, integrating expansive vistas and panoramic views of passing ships into everyday life. A sight axis to the north across Grasbrook harbor connects the building visually with Vasco-da-Gama Square and the Oval high-rise building, also completed by ingenhoven associates in 2008.

The building’s external appearance is defined by three key elements: the open, transparent ground floor, the rhythmic arrangement of triangular balconies, and a striking external column structure. The slender and elegant load-bearing structure envelops the building from the roof downward like a crown, creating a distinctive landmark within HafenCity.

The structural design allows for flexible apartment layouts with varying sizes, each featuring its own balcony. The building’s core is offset toward its outer edges, which, in combination with orthogonal internal walls, creates alternating terraces around the building. Semi-transparent, movable sliding elements known as "windbreakers" provide protection from wind and sun. The penthouse floors are slightly recessed and offer duplex apartments with particularly spacious terraces.

The building was planned and constructed according to the criteria of the "HafenCity Gold" environmental certification.