IBA-MAP

Veddel and Spreehafen

Veddel, Spreehafen and Müggenburger Zollhafen


This tour, lasting about two hours, begins and ends at the IBA DOCK. It takes you on a walk through the Veddel district, home to dock workers and immigrants, as far as Hamburg’s biggest harbour basin and back.

From IBA DOCK, cross Am Zollhafen at the bus bay. On the left you will see the police station, built in 1926, where the security police were based until 1945. After the Second World War the police station was converted into family apartments.

Follow Katenweide, staying on the left side. About 150 metres on, you come to Veddeler Brückenstrasse, the main artery of the district. Here, you will find Turkish supermarkets, a pharmacy, snack bars, and cafés, alongside a few local cultural clubs. Veddel itself is one of the most important residential districts: built in block formation in the late 1920s, it became a conservation area in 1985. No less a luminary than Fritz Schumacher, Hamburg’s renowned chief building director, drew up the plans for the estate. Today some 4700 people from 35 countries (including about 400 students) live in the neighbourhood.

Turn left into Veddeler Brückenstrasse, cross over to the right side, and turn right at the next two streets (Veddeler Damm, Wilhelmsburger Strasse).

When you come to Wilhelmsburger Straße 76-82 on the left-hand side, you will pass the IBA Prima Klima-Anlagen projects, upgraded meticulously with state-of-the-art technology. Keep walking on the left side, turning left at the next two streets (Immanuelplatz, Am Gleise), and this takes you straight to Veddel S-Bahn station.

Go through the underpass and on towards Spreehafen. This harbour basin, named in 1890 after a tributary of the Elbe, is far bigger than the Binnenalster Lake at Jungfernstieg in Hamburg. The opening of the Spreehafen has gradually turned the harbour into the “Alster of the South” for visitors and residents alike. Among other projects a 4.5 kilometre circuit has been created, which makes a great cycle route as well.

Walk along Niedernfelder Ufer on the north bank, turning left onto industrial Spreehafen island and follow Brandenburger Strasse. The New Port Railway Building constitutes the first administrative building in Hamburg to be built to Passive House standard. Walking down Brandenburger Strasse, turn left into the next two streets (Klütjenfelder Strasse, Postdamer Ufer). Keep walking along Potsdamer Ufer and Berliner Ufer eastwards for about 1.5 km.

Cross over the dyke at the end of the harbour basin, taking you directly onto Harburger Chaussee. Stay on the left and go under the railway bridges facing you. Turn left at the next street (Am Zollhafen), and keep to the left, crossing the bridge at the lock. Follow the street, staying on the left. Cross the street before it bends to the right.

You are now on the promenade at the Müggenburg customs port, enjoying a wonderful view over the water. Beside the BallinStadt Emigration Museum (opened in 2006) on the south bank of the customs port, you can see the House of projects. Your route then takes you on along the promenade right to the “IBA DOCK”, where our Veddel tour ends.