Konrad Schmidt cultivates a small bed behind the Lottenhof. He lives in the immediate vicinity of the historic building, which has developed into a colorful meeting point for the neighborhood over the years. “You can really experience a sense of community here that you only get in the country,” he says. What he particularly likes is the “anarchic charm” of the site: the slightly dilapidated overall look and of course the rusty pylons that tower in front of the main hall.
The main hall and other areas of the building are scheduled to be renovated by the end of 2024. 1.9 million euros from federal funds are to be invested in this, plus funds from the city of Potsdam. On Saturday, the district network invited representatives from politics and the Castle Foundation (SPSG) to a tour of the site to present the conversion plans. The occasion was the “Day of Urban Development”. But It is currently unclear when the renovation work on the Lottenhof can start: Because the tender for an architect’s office that can manage the conversion failed.
“That’s why unfortunately it doesn’t go any further for the time being,” says Laura van Alten, member of the district network west association. Nevertheless, she hopes that construction work can begin in spring 2024. “We’re very optimistic,” she says.
City and district network optimistic despite delay
The problem is that the refurbishment has to be completed by the end of 2024 so that the federal funds can be used. When asked by PNN, the city of Potsdam confirmed that the search for an architect was unsuccessful. “Now either a new tender has to be put out, which would delay the entire project, or other ways of awarding the contract have to be found,” says a spokeswoman.
She did not give details of the reasons. It was also not possible at this point in time to say which other allocation methods are possible. “The aim is to avoid a delay. We are confident that this will work‘ said the spokeswoman.
Delays foreseeable for a long time
Possible delays had already been announced at the end of last year: In November 2022, Mayor Mike Schubert (SPD) informed the Social.DieLinke faction that the Lottenhof construction project “can only be pushed forward with limited resources at the moment”.
He gave a number of reasons for this, including absences due to illness, delays caused by funding agencies and the challenges posed by the Ukraine and energy crises. Potsdam is providing a total of 983,335 euros for the Lottenhof in the budget years 2021 to 2024.
The Neighborhood Network West has collected ideas for the renovation and how the rooms of the Lottenhof could be used afterwards. Nicola Meyer and Lisa Opel have been hired by the association as honorary staff. Great Hall ideas include a cinema and theater.
The hall should also change visually, if the plans can be implemented in this way: Large glass facades are to be used for a bright, open atmosphere care for. The district network is to have office space in the west wing. Rooms for offices and groups are also to be created in the east wing.
Lottenhof visitor Konrad Schmidt is curious how the building will develop. “I’m a bit concerned that the anarchic charm will be lost,” he says. “The charm comes from the people who liven it up here,” Opel replies and Schmidt smiles.
Despite the failed tender, progress is being made elsewhere: According to Opel, it should be in a week the leasehold contract be signed between the previous Lottenhof owner SPSG and the state capital.
