One of Cologne’s most prominent landmarks, the 140-year old Dom Hotel is currently undergoing renovations – which after years of delays might finally be completed in 2023. After the discovery of many problems that could not be solved in a single stroke, construction work, which began in the early 2010s, was stalled – but soon, the historic hotel might finally be able to reopen and once again greet visitors.
Making Cologne whole again
The Dom Hotel is one of the oldest grand hotels in all of Europe. First established in the 19th century, the site has undergone many renovations and reconstructions It is located right next to the world-famous Cologne Cathedral (the Kölner Dom) turning it into a much-coveted location with special historic significance.
Yet as is the case with every building, age crept up on the edifice and made it necessary for massive renovation efforts to take place. Once construction began, however, it turned out that the problems plaguing the Dom Hotel were too far-reaching to quickly solve. Thus, the official reopening date of 2021 was pushed back. Now, after months of additional work, Cologne officials and the Bavarian Supply Chamber (BVK) – the company responsible for the building’s renovation are confident that a 2023 unveiling is within reach.
At the official ceremony held earlier this week heralding the hotel’s reopening by laying the area’s first building block, Cologne’s mayor, Henriette Reker stated that “The laying of the foundation stone marks an important step in the design of the immediate surroundings of the cathedral. With the completion of the Dom Hotel and its adjoining retail and catering areas, the many tourists who visit Cologne every year, but also the people of Cologne themselves, are invited to discover a new side of our city. I am glad that a piece of urban architecture is being created at this point so that the area around the cathedral can shine in new splendour.”
Source: TheMayor.EU