Streamlined Interim Structure Presented to the Board of Directors

On Monday, July 6, 2026, ProWST presented the revised plans for the interim location —commissioned by the state and the city—to the Board of Directors of the Württemberg State Theaters Stuttgart (WST). The revisions were prompted by the significant increases in construction costs in recent years, as well as the tight budgetary situation facing the state and the city.
All objectives were achieved: significantly reducing the costs for the temporary opera house on the C1 site near the Wagenhallen while ensuring on-time completion. As a result, the Board of Directors instructed ProWST to use the presented plans as the basis for further planning.

Working closely with the Württemberg State Theaters, ProWST developed a substantially revised concept for a more compact yet functionally viable alternative performance venue. The planned floor area was reduced by nearly 40 percent compared to previous plans. In addition, construction standards will be limited to what is functionally necessary. At the same time, it is ensured that the employees of the Württemberg State Theaters will continue to have access to an efficient and modern work environment in the future.

By reducing the building’s volume and simplifying the construction process, construction costs can be significantly reduced. In addition, the new concept helps ensure that the schedule is met: it saves time during both construction and planning. According to the current tentative schedule, the Württemberg State Theaters will be able to use the interim venue as planned starting in 2033. This means the key objectives for the redesign have been met.

The reason for this reorientation is the drastic increase in construction costs over the past few years—nearly 50 percent. Under these circumstances, it would not have been possible to stay within the originally estimated budget of 224 million euros. The revised implementation plan now on the table will offset a significant portion of these cost increases. According to current cost estimates, the total cost for the interim site will be around 289 million euros.

Petra Olschowski, Minister of Culture and Vice Chair of the Board of Directors, described the revised plan as a decisive step for the overall project: “This excellent proposal for a more streamlined and cost-effective interim venue is the key to the renovation, modernization, and expansion of one of the most beautiful opera houses in the world. The interim venue is the central element for the success of the entire project: Without the interim venue, artistic operations cannot be maintained continuously—more than that: without the interim venue, the very existence of the State Theater, with its world-class opera and ballet, is threatened.” The new plan lays the foundation for moving the project forward while simultaneously saving costs. All parties involved have supported the process with a strong sense of responsibility and through close collaboration, according to Olschowski.