Plans Become Reality: Progress in Subarea C1

On construction site C1, surrounding the Wagenhallen, development of the future interim location for the Württemberg State Theaters (WST) and the Maker City for Stuttgart Rosenstein is clearly gaining momentum. Following intensive preparatory work, site development has begun. The temporary opera house serves as the first building block for the new Stuttgart Rosenstein district. In addition, an urban mix is emerging here in which living, working, and creative endeavors are closely intertwined: the neighborhood hub with an energy center, as well as the neighborhoods of the “eco- and social pioneers” and the “pioneers of urban production,” which will eventually tie in with the opera’s use of the space.

Key infrastructure requirements have already been put in place over the past few months. For example, the main drinking water pipeline has been successfully laid, and the route of the local heating network has been revised—an important step, as Maker City will be supplied with local heating, among other things, in the future. A geothermal energy supply has also been secured for the temporary opera house, which will be provided via a geothermal well field at Wagenhallenplatz.

The site will be fully cleared during 2026. This includes the careful relocation of strictly protected species such as the wall lizard, which is expected to be completed by September 2026. From that point on, development work will begin in subarea C1—a crucial phase in which the conceptual plans will gradually be transformed into a physical reality. First, the access roads will be built, connecting the lots and buildings and linking them to essential utility lines such as water, sewer, electricity, and internet. The contracts for road construction, sewer, and utility line installation will be put out to bid and awarded to construction companies—the foundation for construction work to officially begin in September 2026.

A glance at the aerial view of the subarea already reveals the clear structure of the various building sites, which are being developed step by step. Building sites 1 through 3 will initially house the WST’s interim location; once the interim use ends, this area will be further developed for the “Pioneers of Urban Production” neighborhood. The goal here is to create a vibrant urban neighborhood that combines much-needed housing with spaces for production, crafts, and services in an urban setting. Building site 4 plays a central role: this is where the neighborhood hub and the energy center—the infrastructural focal points of the entire site—will be built. On construction sites 5 through 7, meanwhile, the “eco- and social pioneers” neighborhood is taking shape, where new forms of communal living and sustainable coexistence will be tested and established.

Photos: Fabrice Weichelt/City of Stuttgart