On 16 July 2026, the Council of the State Capital Düsseldorf confirmed the objection raised by the Mayor, Dr. Stephan Keller. This decision paves the way for the demolition of the existing building at Hoffeldstraße 43 in Düsseldorf-Flingern. Benini Real Estate® can therefore implement an already approved new development project after a process that lasted over a year.
The Mayor's objection was confirmed by a majority of the CDU, FDP, and AfD parties. Bündnis 90/Die Grünen abstained, which also contributed to the confirmation. This council decision followed multiple rejections of the demolition of the residential and commercial building by District Council 2.
Benini Real Estate's project envisages the creation of approximately 1,077 m² of new residential space. In the street-facing front building, 10 barrier-free and energy-efficient apartments with a total living area of approximately 795 m² will be created. Additionally, 2 townhouses, each with approximately 141 m² of living space, private terraces, and further exits, will be built in the rear part of the plot. The project is supplemented by 2 commercial units with a total area of approximately 122 m². The total new residential and commercial area amounts to approximately 1,200 m². In comparison, the existing property comprised, according to information, 4 approved residential units, 2 commercial units, and an attic that was not approved under building law, meaning the new build achieves nearly three times the living space compared to the previous building.
In addition to creating living space, the new development project aims for a comprehensive ecological enhancement of the plot. Plans include a sustainable energy supply via geothermal energy and photovoltaics, a children's playground, and additional green and open spaces. The sealing of the area is to be reduced by approximately 60% compared to the current state, which is intended to improve the ecological quality of the plot, the microclimate, and the quality of stay for future residents. The design of the street-facing façade will integrate into the historically significant surroundings of Hoffeldstraße, with defining elements of the old building stock to be translated into a contemporary architectural language.
The replacement new build is based on extensive expert reports. The approximately 122-year-old existing building had been vacant for over a year prior to the decision and showed significant structural and construction defects. Parts of the structure were already secured with steel supports. Technical investigations, including structural stability assessments, a technical statement on façade preservation, and an existing property and surrounding area analysis, consistently concluded that renovation, preservation, or extension of the existing property was technically not feasible and economically unjustifiable. The administration and building supervisory authority of the State Capital Düsseldorf shared this assessment and confirmed the legal prerequisites for the requested demolition. Carlo G. Benini, managing partner of Benini Real Estate, emphasised that the council decision, after a long dispute, creates the necessary planning certainty.
Benini Real Estate will continue to advance the detailed design and construction planning of the project. Preparatory procedures for media separation, site setup, and necessary traffic-related measures were initiated immediately after the council decision. Information on the concrete timeline for demolition and the start of construction will be provided in the coming months.
