An economic interest group (GIE), Nei Hollerich, was charged with developing the plans, which it submitted to the City of Luxembourg in December 2020. The Ville de Luxembourg published them on 29 March, giving members of the public 30 days to submit questions and comments about the project to the commune.

The GIE acts on behalf of the landowners, including Paul Wurth, Landimmo Real Estate and the Luxembourg pension fund (FDC).

Located near Luxembourg City’s central train station, Hollerich is historically an industrial district, although much of activity has ceased. In 2004, Paul Wurth closed its production site in Hollerich. Cigarette maker Heintz van Landewyck in 2015 announced it was moving its factory to the north of the country.

The offices of national health insurer CNS, meanwhile, will also move to the new so-called Cité de la Sécurité Sociale, which is currently under construction, located between Rue de Hollerich, Rue du Fort Wedell, Rue du Commerce and the Place de la Gare.

All in all, 20.5 hectares of land have become available for development, with 2,200 housing units (for 4,500 residents) planned, in addition to offices for 5,500 staff, shops, childcare facilities, restaurants and more. The surface area of all developments combined will amount to around 390,000m2, all located within reach of the tram as this is extended towards the Cloche d’Or.   

Some historic elements of the Hollerich district will be kept intact, such as the Heintz van Landewyck building, which will be refurbished into offices. The park surrounding the building will be open to the public.

The former Paul Wurth headquarters and an old industrial hall facing Rue de l’Aciérie will also be preserved and integrated into the new development.

The development plan, or PAP, should be validated by the commune before the end of this year. This will be followed by infrastructure works, including a bypass road. Construction on the actual project should begin in 2023/2024, with the first residents expected to move in by 2025/2026.

This story was first published on Paperjam and has been translated and edited for Delano.