Approximately 200 Hamburg residents came together on Wednesday in Altona Town Hall’s assembly room to discuss plans for the fishing port. Information on future use, buildings and open spaces, mobility and sustainability in the Areal West district was provided across five presentation tables. Participants engaged in intensive dialogue about the plans in a positive atmosphere among themselves as well as with those responsible from the Fischmarkt Hamburg-Altona project team and with representatives of the district administration.

“FMH intends to maintain the Hamburg Altona fish market as the site of the fishing and port industry, and to develop it so that it is secure for the future. We are aware of our responsibility to this unique location in Hamburg. The plan is to create an inviting and sustainable quarter on the river Elbe that is accessible to the people of Hamburg,” explains FMH Managing Director Rainer Schluff.

Fischmarkt Hamburg-Altona GmbH has been managing the properties on the fishing port for approximately seventy years. The company is a subsidiary of Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA) and is part of HHLA’s Real Estate segment. The goal of the planned development is to protect the traditional fishing and port industry in the East district (the wholesale fish market on “Große Elbstraße”), while at the same time providing a stimulus for upgrading the entire area along “Große Elbstraße”. The project involves creating a lively quarter for multiple use and public areas. Its central component is a multi-functional public market hall with fish and gourmet food stands. In addition to commercial buildings, FMH will meet the high demand for living space by constructing three elevated, flood-proof residential buildings. The seven buildings of high architectural quality will connect the district of Ottensen with the river Elbe.

The information fair was immediately followed by the livestreamed public project discussion, which was also constuctive.

Next steps

The content of the discussion was recorded and will be evaluated by the City and Landscape Planning department responsible. The Altona Regional Assembly planning commission will then hold discussions at one of its next public meetings and decide on potential adjustments and how the process will go forward.

Demolition of the old buildings will begin soon after, allowing planners insight into the West district’s development potential so they can start remediating contaminated sites.

About HHLA Real Estate

As part of Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG, HHLA Real Estate is responsible for building management and district development. Founded in 1885 for the construction of Hamburg’s Speicherstadt historical warehouse district, HHLA manages the historically unique collection of red-brick buildings through its Real Estate segment. It has also expanded its portfolio to include the Hamburg fish market and numerous commercial and logistics properties around the port.

About Fischmarkt Hamburg-Altona (FMH)

Fischmarkt Hamburg-Altona (FMH) operates a unique trading and commercial centre at one of Hamburg’s most interesting locations. Some 2,000 employees work here at more than 120 companies. The very traditional fishing industry with its important wholesale marketplace is joined by various new service industries, a diverse range of restaurants and eateries, as well as retailers targeting quality-conscious consumers. As a skilled service provider specialising in real estate, seafood, storage and processing, FMH provides space for ideas and an environment whose original character is being carefully maintained.