Lindencarrée Coesfeld

A new chapter for the ‘Weißer Riese’

Almost everyone in Coesfeld knows the ‘Weißer Riese’ (‘White Giant’). In recent years, the former Hageböck furniture store in its central location had stood empty, especially on the upper floors, and repeatedly attracted uninvited guests. For local residents and the town, planning the Lindencarrée on this site was therefore an important step.

After years of planning and several meetings of the design review panel, the building authority and local politicians gave the green light with the building permit in November 2019. Planning had begun in 2015. Over that time, it was not only the project that grew, but our practice too.

Two streets, one quarter

What makes it special: the Lindencarrée was developed as one scheme for both Süringstraße and Kapuzinerstraße, which differ in level by up to 2.80 metres. A shared underground car park connects the two parts and meets the parking requirement.

On Süringstraße, the new buildings close the gap to the neighbours, in line with the town’s urban design goals. On Kapuzinerstraße, parts of the buildings are set back by up to one metre, widening the street space. Three gables face the shopping street, while Kapuzinerstraße has eaves-fronted houses with dormers.

Westphalian gables, modern apartments

The facades take up the character of Münsterland towns: Westphalian gables and red-fired clinker brick. Modern elements such as the flat roof allow for penthouse apartments on the top floor along Süringstraße. The apartments are largely barrier-free, arranged two per landing and dual-aspect from north to south, so they get light from two sides. Their sizes vary to suit different tenants.

On the ground floor along Süringstraße, four small shops bring the pedestrian zone to a close. Hardly any other building site in Coesfeld will offer space for so many apartments so close to the town centre in the coming years.