5,000 people once worked on Phoenix-West – today there are 5,700. Compilation: Economic development of the city of Dortmund
They are among the best-known landmarks and are one of the most difficult industrial wastelands to develop in Dortmund: the relics of the blast furnace on Phoenix-West. Their use is still up in the air. But the popular “Skywalk” is due to reopen, at least in part, soon. It offers interesting insights into the Phoenix-West area. It is one of the success stories of structural change. Dortmund’s economic development officer Heike Marzen has now taken a preliminary assessment of the marketing.
Phoenix-West as an example for the development of other brownfield sites
Heike Marzen looks enthusiastically at an old and a new aerial photo: “I find it very impressive what was created and built – including WILO. Nevertheless, there are still a few witnesses of the time,” she said, referring to the gasometer and blast furnace, among other things. “They shape the townscape and connect the present with history and the future,” said the economic development manager.
In the past 20 years, Phoenix-West has changed its face massively. Compilation: Economic development of the city of Dortmund
The city of Dortmund set out with Phoenix-West over 20 years ago with the aim of special marketing. The goal was and is a focus on micro- and nano-technology as well as IT.
Open day at the MST factory – it was the first facility on Phoenix-West. Archive photo: Alex Völkel
The “MST Factory” as the actual nucleus and competence center was the beginning – it was the first building and stood as an example for the industry.
Others followed, for example the Center for Production Technology, which has now opened its third construction phase and is fully rented.
“We also took our time in marketing so that what fits together comes together,” says Marzen, looking at the comparatively long period of time.
But from an economic development perspective, it was worth it. At that time there were around 5,000 employees in the municipal utility – today there are around 5,700 jobs in the 119 companies on Phoenix-West.
The 119 companies generate around 13 billion euros in sales
Although things are going well, there is still free space: 82 percent is sold and seven percent is reserved. Eleven percent are still being marketed. The area should never be completely developed. The landscape wedge remains green.
Photo: Alexander Völkel for Nordstadtblogger
An interesting mix of industries has emerged: the largest companies are the network operator Amprion with 1,600 employees and the Dortmund IT pioneer Materna with 1,500 employees.
After that, size doesn’t matter for a long time – followed by companies like the IT system house Bechtle with 190 employees, Opländer, Douglas or the Raith Head Office.
In total, the 119 companies generate around 13 billion euros in sales. 73 companies are from the service sector, ten from the accompanying trade, 22 from industry or production and 14 from the IT and media sector.
After the failure of the “World of Walas” plans, things are progressing slowly
After the dream of “World of Walas” collapsed (we reported – links to the reports at the end), which wanted to develop and then operate the blast furnace and switch house 101, NRW.urban as the seller and the city of Dortmund had to change their cards place. The city has taken over the two large properties. Very little has happened so far.
After the “World of Walas” plans failed, the city took over the blast furnace and switch house 101. Photo: Helmut Sommer for Nordstadtblogger.de
In 2023, the takeover of the areas – blast furnace, switch house 101 and a plot of land in front of it – was presented. “But it took a long time until we got ownership. The transition took over a year and only then did we receive access,” says Marzen.
“That is unsatisfactory – for us too. We have set up a project group to plan the technological area. We are on the home stretch. We will be able to present plans at the beginning of next year. The development is a lot of fun, but not entirely trivial,” says Marzen.
Blast furnace development represents a huge challenge
There is currently no question of demolishing the blast furnace, even if there is no prospect of commercial use: “The blast furnace is the landmark of this site, the district and, for some, the city,” emphasizes Mayor Thomas Westphal. He regrets that the plans for “World of Walas” fell through after the unexpected death of the company’s founder.
Photo: Alexander Völkel for Nordstadtblogger
“We wished for anything other than what happened. That’s a shame. As NRW.urban and a city, our goal is to market the area for third parties. “World of Walas” was the first to want to implement commercial use,” said the mayor.
“When you look into it in detail, you realize how complicated it is. We knew that before World of Walas,” admits Westphal. “We definitely want to preserve the blast furnace.”
The gasometer, pump house and gas blower hall remain in view
Marketing the “ Schalthaus 101 ” could be much quicker than the blast furnace: “We are talking to various investors who are interested and technologically fit into the area,” reports the managing director of the city’s economic development agency.
Heike Marzen is managing director of the Dortmund Economic Development Agency. Photo: Thorsten Hübner – City of Hamm
Three other objects will also be considered in further development: the gasometer, pump house and gas blower hall are still owned by NRW.urban.
“We are in discussions with NRW.urban. When it comes to reuse, those involved – owners, the city and investors – must be brought into harmony,” said the economic development agency. “There are also other small and one large areas that are in good marketing condition.”
The Skywalk should soon be accessible again in a scaled-down form
Speaking of good condition: This is not the case with the “Skywalk”. The tourist highlight – a 350 meter long bridge at a height of 30 meters – is due to reopen soon. The popular meeting point for guests from near and far has been closed for months after parts came loose.
The Skywalk is currently still “bagged” – parts had come loose. It will be made roadworthy. Photo: Helmut Sommer for Nordstadtblogger.de
“We are planning to reopen this year. We’re talking about days rather than weeks. We will also have a small celebration,” announced Marzen. The passage over the gas pipe bridge should then be opened promptly. However, it goes back down before the Möllerbunker.
It will then not be possible to enter the blast furnace itself again. “It is a huge task to inspect and secure the blast furnace. That still takes time – at least until the beginning of next year.”
Discussion about the preservation of the pipe bridge on Carlo-Schmidt-Allee
The pipe bridge on Carlo-Schmidt-Allee is also in need of renovation. The area below has been closed for years. Photo: Helmut Sommer for Nordstadtblogger.de
Not part of the Skywalk, but also in need of renovation, is a pipe bridge on Carlo-Schmidt-Allee, which represents a gateway to the city and Phoenix-West for many listeners and local companies.
In recent weeks, possible demolition plans have been making the rounds because extensive renovation is also on the cards here.
“The decision must be made here as to whether and at what cost it is possible to renovate the pipe bridge or whether it will be demolished to ensure traffic safety,” says Marzen.
“In the end, it’s not my decision. We plan to preserve and use it because it is a landmark for the entire area and defines the location,” says Marzen.
For many companies, the industrial heritage environment is also an argument for locating there. “That’s why we aim to preserve it and make it an experience.”
Phoenix-West as a blueprint for future area developments
For the mayor, Phoenix-West is a blueprint for future area development: “The overall view was important to us because it is at the heart of economic development. This has enabled us to do economic development. Phoenix-West is an example of further area development. These don’t have to be concrete office and industrial locations,” says Westphal.
There are currently around 5,700 jobs in the 119 companies on Phoenix-West. Photo: Alexander Völkel for Nordstadtblogger
The plan for Phoenix was even larger and more ambitious overall than just for Phoenix West: If you count the Phoenix East area with Lake Phoenix, there are 379 companies there with 10,500 employees. 210 hectares of land have been developed. The 60 hectare Phoenix Park was created. And 1,200 new trees were planted on Phoenix-West alone.
2,000 new residential units have been built around the 24-hectare lake. The Hörde district center also benefited from the development, where a lot of investment was also made. For Westphal, the “Hörder Dreiklang” is a successful model.
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More on this on Nordstadtblogger:
The dream of “World of Walas” at the blast furnace on Phoenix-West died with the visionary
The dispute over the Brechten lowlands overshadows the discussion on the economic area strategy
Heike Marzen’s forecast for the balance of the economy in Dortmund: The situation is “cheerful to cloudy”
