A modern school complex is set to be built over the coming years on a site previously used for commercial purposes on Neusser Strasse in Cologne-Nippes. RBL RheinBauLand AG, together with its project partner Indigo Invest, has been awarded the contract in a bidding process organised by Kölner Schulbaugesellschaft. The plan provides for the delivery of a three-stream secondary school that will accommodate more than 800 pupils in future.
Conversion of an established commercial site
The project marks an urban conversion in the north of Cologne: the plot of approximately 10,500 square metres is located in the immediate vicinity of the Nippes district town hall. Until now, the property has been used purely for commercial purposes, including by a car dealership. The new development will replace the current interim school facility in Toni-Steingass-Park with a permanent educational establishment.
Construction work on the site is scheduled to begin in 2028. Regular school operations are due to commence by 2031 at the latest. In addition to the school building itself, the concept includes the construction of a sports hall and the creation of high-quality outdoor areas. Architectural practice ASTOC from Cologne is responsible for the design, while Goldbeck West has been appointed to carry out the construction.
Long-term lease model and sustainable design
Under the division of tasks between the project partners, RBL RheinBauLand AG will manage the development, whilst Indigo Invest will act as the landlord. The economic foundation of the transaction is formed by a long-term lease agreement with a duration of 30 years. Resource conservation and energy efficiency are central to the structural design, with green roofs and photovoltaic systems among the planned measures.
For RBL RheinBauLand AG, the project represents a targeted expansion of its activities in the municipal infrastructure sector. Management board member Holger Coers explained that the development creates urgently needed school places whilst demonstrating how commercial sites can be repurposed for new requirements in a resource-conserving manner. Robert Nickel, Partner at Indigo Invest, highlighted that the new build once again confirms the company as a dependable partner in school construction across Cologne.
