Urban development: Investor plans large extension to the existing building located on Mörikestraße behind “Agnes” with 53 mini-apartments and 30 apartments. By Arnd Woletz

Göppingen, July 29, 2023 | The east facade of „Agnes“ in Mörikestraße rises impressively. The buildings on the opposite literally duck away from it. At least in the case of the Deutsche Bank branch, this is not going to remain the case. Jan Watzl, an investor from Pöcking in Bavaria, has purchased the 1960s building from the bank and intends to enhance and renovate it on a grand scale. He recently presented the concept to the design advisory board. Jan Watzl’s specialty is the resurgence of aging structures, as he revealed on his website, which also features a project in Salach. Jan Watzl remarked that the building which was constructed by the bank showcases an “impressive building quality”.

„It could be an enrichment for Göppingen to develop this building.“ – Professor Peter Cheret Chairman of the Design Advisory Board.

The bank is presently a tenant with a lease extending until 2029. According to Watzl, the bank currently occupies the two lower floors of the existing building but intends to relocate to the ground floor in the long term. Then, under his guidance, a sort of apartment building with 53 mini-apartments is planned to be developed on the first and second floor. These apartments will serve as temporary accommodation for employees of companies on a short-term basis. Jan Watzl has already secured an agreement with Limehome Germany GmbH, a provider of serviced apartments, for this purpose.

Jan Watzl envisions expanding the building by adding three more stories on top of the existing three. The material of choice is most likely going to be timber to meet the structural criteria. These extra floors will house apartments and a spacious communal roof garden. In the southern part of the current building, where parking spaces currently exist, Watzl is planning an entirely new seven-storey tower-like structure that will also accommodate additional apartments. The overall plan includes a total of 30 apartments. The floor space would increase significantly. With the approved addition and extension, the floor space could potentially reach up to 7,000 sqm. In the design advisory board chaired by Peter Cheret, Watzl’s project received clear approval. Cheret stated, „Developing this building could be an improvement for Göppingen.” Nevertheless, achieving the appropriate level of densification is a crucial urban planning consideration, according to Johannes Kappler, a fellow council member. He commended the investor’s commitment to preserving the building’s history. However, he noted that the building would eventually “have a significantly more prominent presence than before”.

One of the recommendations put forth by the architectural experts on the advisory board was to relocate the front building to the traffic circle, which already has a square-like configuration. Kappler also proposed enhancing the openness of the north facade facing the square. From an urban planning perspective, it would be preferable for the new building to have one less storey, especially considering the existing small-scale structure in the southern neighborhood. Kappler pointed out that the planned distances there are too small.

Watzl stated that he, along with his architect, will review the suggestions. “Our goal is to initiate the refurbishment and expansion at the earliest opportunity, and we are hopeful for a prompt issuance of the building permit.”