News

117 years ago, a theater project of international significance was launched in Stuttgart: the construction of what is now the opera house on the Upper Palace Gardens, known as the Littmann-Bau. With the launch of the realization competition for its renovation, modernization, and expansion, a new chapter now begins in the history of the world's largest three-genre theater.

On October 6, the architectural competition for the renovation and modernization of the opera house in Stuttgart commenced. At the Staatsgalerie Stuttgart, opposite the Littmann-Bau, the jury approved the competition documents. These documents form the basis for the competition involving 30 participating architectural firms.

The renovation and expansion of the listed Littmann-Bau is the most prominent of a total of three sub-projects, alongside the interim location at the Wagenhallen in Stuttgart-North and the new workshop building in Bad Cannstatt. Following the project resolution for the detailed planning phase of the new workshop building, which was passed by the Stuttgart City Council and the State just a few days ago, the architectural competition for the opera house marks another important milestone for the overall project.

Competition Announcement

A significant milestone has been reached in the Stuttgart Opera House renovation project: The Stuttgart City Council and the state of Baden-Württemberg have approved the project for the new workshop building of the Württemberg State Theatres (WST) in Bad Cannstatt. This decision is welcomed by the project team and Managing Director Christoph Niethammer. The preliminary design phase now begins for the first of three sub-projects. The new building will be constructed on the site of the former sugar factory, next to the existing scenery storage facility, and is scheduled for completion in 2030. It will house all trades relevant to stage design under one roof – including a paint shop, carpentry workshop, paint shop, and assembly hall. The cost of this technically sophisticated building is approximately €124 million, including contingency funds and initial equipment for the WST. The costs will be shared equally by the city and the state.

The equipment at the new location complies with the latest standards. Efficient operational processes and current occupational health and safety regulations are ensured for the 80 employees and are a prerequisite for economically sustainable operations.
Christoph Niethammer, Managing Director of ProWST, adds: “As the primary entity responsible for the project, we are delighted to have reached this important milestone on schedule. This was made possible by the excellent and focused collaboration of all stakeholders, especially the Württembergische Staatstheater Stuttgart.”

Press Release: Project Resolution for the New Workshop Building

During the Administrative Board meeting concerning the renovation of the Württembergische Staatstheater (WST), Minister of Science and Arts Petra Olschowski and Lord Mayor Dr. Frank Nopper highlighted the cultural significance of the project. They particularly praised the progress in planning the new workshop building in Bad Cannstatt and in launching the realization competition for the renovation, modernization, and expansion at the main location in the Upper Palace Gardens. Both sub-projects are on schedule according to the preliminary timeline for the overall project, which was presented in November 2024 and reconfirmed at the Administrative Board meeting.
At the same time, they made it clear that a smaller and simpler solution would be necessary for the interim location at the Wagenhallen. The management of ProWST emphasized in this context that a significant reduction in construction costs would only be possible through a substantial reduction in the spatial program and a lowering of standards.
The goal remains an economical and cost-efficient solution that simultaneously safeguards the artistic quality of the ballet and opera divisions and ensures a functional working environment for the WST employees.
ProWST will continue to drive forward the implementation of the renovation project with high professionalism and great commitment.

The guided city tour on July 27, which explored the planned Stuttgart Rosenstein area – including insights into the Maker City and the future temporary venue for opera and ballet – was well-attended despite the rain.
Experts from the City of Stuttgart and ProWST provided on-site updates on the current planning status. Participants gained further understanding of the topography, existing structures, and the future development of the Rosenstein quarter.
A particular highlight concluding the tour was the visit to the construction site for the temporary opera house. During the renovation of the historic Littmann-Bau, the opera and ballet ensembles of the Württemberg State Theatres will find a new home here. Preparatory measures are already underway on the site.
Our project team presented the planned architecture and the specific challenges of this exciting project on location. 

Further details on the route can be found here.

A successful blend of activity, history, and future. This best describes our summer festival this year. Under ideal weather conditions, we commenced our joint hike at Marienplatz along the Blaustrümpflerweg, one of the most picturesque routes around Stuttgart.
A primary highlight was the stop at the Garrison Shooting Lodge. There, an engaging guided tour awaited us through the listed building, which originally served as a shooting lodge for the military in the 19th century. Mr. Schmidhäuser passionately provided fascinating insights into the eventful past of this historic site.
Subsequently, our path led us to the cable car and over Karlshöhe, offering magnificent views, before returning to our starting point. Following a communal lunch break at Marienplatz, the afternoon featured a visit to the InfoTurm Stuttgart (ITS). The subsequent guided tour of the Stuttgart 21 construction site offered exclusive insights into this extensive and complex project.
To conclude, we rounded off the eventful day with refreshing drinks in a relaxed setting on the Theater Terraces at the Opera House.
A day filled with impressions, productive discussions, and team spirit.

Our sincere thanks go to Mr. Schmidhäuser, who facilitated an exclusive guided tour for us.

In early May, the Friends' Association of the Stuttgart State Theatres e.V. visited the C1 area near the Wagenhallen in Stuttgart North, which will serve as the future interim venue for the Württemberg State Theatres Stuttgart.

The newly installed ground marking for the future entrance of the interim venue was particularly impactful for all attendees. During the renovation, modernization, and expansion of the Littmann-Bau in the Upper Palace Gardens, this site will serve as the rehearsal, work, and performance space for the Stuttgart Ballet and Stuttgart State Opera, enabling them to continue their outstanding excellence. The address by Mr. Hendriks, Managing Director of the Württemberg State Theatres Stuttgart, at the prospective entrance was particularly poignant. This marks the realization of an implementation concept, developed over several years, to provide improved working conditions within a modernized and expanded stage operation for the 1,400 employees.

Prior to the site inspection, Christoph Niethammer, Managing Director of ProWST GmbH, provided an overview of the complex overarching project, the 'Opera Renovation.'
Subsequently, Alexander Lange, Managing Director of a+r Architekten GmbH, presented the competition design for the interim venue of the Württemberg State Theatres, which was submitted in collaboration with NL Architects.

It became evident to the audience that this initial sub-project also serves as a foundational element for the emerging Stuttgart Rosenstein district. The Württemberg State Theatres Stuttgart, with their unique cultural prominence, will play a significant role in shaping Stuttgart Rosenstein and, in collaboration with the Kunstverein Wagenhalle E.V., will form the vibrant core and public focal point of the new quarter.

Participants found it noteworthy that only a small portion of the building complex will function as the temporary performance venue, encompassing the stage, stage tower, auditorium, and foyer.
The significantly larger portion will comprise permanent structures, initially housing the rehearsal and production facilities essential for performances, alongside residential units.
Following the ensemble's return to the modernized, renovated, and expanded Littmann-Bau, the interim site will subsequently accommodate further residential units, workshops, and creative businesses.

Our sincere gratitude to all participants for their keen interest and the stimulating discussions held this evening!

Our thanks extend to Mr. Bischoff, Managing Director of Kunstverein Wagenhalle E.V., for his welcoming remarks and for providing the 'Tor 5' space.
Additionally, we thank Mr. Jensen for contributing the expertise of the State Capital of Stuttgart during the site inspection.

The ProWST planning team is conducting additional technical excursions to various renovation projects involving theatre buildings across Germany. Gaining insights from other large-scale renovation initiatives can yield valuable knowledge, particularly regarding potential for optimization and acceleration.

In February, a constructive exchange was held with the planning team in Mannheim, which is responsible for the renovation of the National Theatre.
In March, the team visited the construction site for the renovation and expansion of the Badisches Staatstheater in Karlsruhe, as well as the renovation of the Staatstheater in Nuremberg.

These excursions facilitate an intensive exchange among colleagues across various professional disciplines. They provide an invaluable opportunity to learn from the experiences of other projects.
The insights acquired will be integrated into our own project to ensure the renovation, modernization, and expansion of the Württemberg State Theatres are executed as efficiently and seamlessly as possible.

Press Release: Technical Excursions

ProWST is a new member of buildingSMART Deutschland e.V.

buildingSMART Deutschland is an independent association and Germany's largest network dedicated to the digitalization of the construction and real estate sector. As part of the international buildingSMART International network, it has championed open, vendor-neutral standards for digital planning, construction, and operation of structures for over two decades.

The association convenes professionals from industry, academia, public administration, and civil society to collaboratively develop digital solutions and standards, including what is known as 'open Building Information Modeling' (BIM).

Membership with buildingSMART Deutschland entails being an integral part of this active community, gaining access to exclusive technical information and networks, and actively contributing to the development and harmonization of digital standards. 

BIM Manager Pascal Beckers serves as our team's primary contact for buildingSMART. We anticipate a productive exchange and successful collaboration. An initial BIM model for the new workshop building at the Zuckerfabrik in Bad Cannstatt has already been developed.

Here's the link to Building Smart

As part of our ProWST Christmas celebration, we were afforded the unique opportunity to visit the John Cranko School in Stuttgart. There, we had the privilege of attending a rehearsal of the ballet 'Romeo and Juliet'. Subsequently, we received a highly informative tour of the impressive building, which had been completed in 2020.

Our team continues to grow steadily. It was therefore time for an official team photograph, to allow you to visualize the individuals behind this significant project.