Kö-Bogen, Dusseldorf

The Ko-Bogen, an ambitious urban renewal project in Dusseldorf, reimagines a historic area of the North Rhine-Westphalian capital with a blend of modern architecture, pedestrian-friendly spaces, and environmental upgrades. Named for the quarter-circle arch once formed by Hofgartenstrasse along the edge of the Hofgarten and Landskrone pond, Ko-Bogen is designed to bridge the classic elegance of Konigsallee (the Ko) with a forward-thinking urban layout.

Initiated in 2005, the project unfolded over multiple phases. The first phase saw the transformation of Jan-Wellem-Platz, a former tram hub reimagined as a multifunctional complex housing retail, office, and dining spaces, based on designs by architect Daniel Libeskind. This phase also included replacing Hofgartenstrasse with a tunnel and reshaping the area’s connectivity. The second phase followed the demolition of the Millipede Hochstrasse, a former elevated roadway, which was similarly replaced by an underground tunnel, allowing for a new pedestrian promenade.

The redevelopment also addressed a portion of the district south of the theater, stretching from Gustaf-Grundgens-Platz to Schadowstrasse. Plans initially proposed four new structures, later streamlined into the “Ingenhoven Valley,” combining retail, office, and dining spaces with a cohesive architectural ensemble. The revised design created an attractive public area along the former path of the Millipede.

Though controversial, the Ko-Bogen project moved forward, overcoming opposition and a petition that sought to halt the sale of Jan-Wellem-Platz. Construction officially began with a groundbreaking ceremony on August 17, 2009. The Libeskind buildings in the first phase were completed in 2013, with the second phase linked to the Wehrhahn Line’s completion in 2016. By early 2017, the final phase, Ko-Bogen II, began, further reshaping the area between the Schauspielhaus and Schadowstrasse. Today, Ko-Bogen stands as a landmark of Dusseldorf’s urban transformation, merging modern architecture with the city’s historic roots.