Stadthof Hanau: This is how the new trading center inspires the city!

Stadthof Hanau: This is how the new trading center inspires the city!

After the great outcry on the closure of the Kaufhof branch in Hanau, which was announced two years ago, the city of Hanau has put together a brave and innovative concept. The city courtyard was opened in March 2025 and is supposed to bring a breath of fresh air to the city center. Invested not only in a new usage concept, but also in the building itself: the city acquired the property for 25 million euros and plans to spend another 40 million euros for renovations and conversions. The establishment of flexible pop-up stores is used to do justice to the constant change in retail, such as "https://www.hanauer.de/hanau/belanz-nachdrei-monaten-zieber-und-haendler-im-imhof-hanau-erste-93784150.html" target = "_ blank"> hanauer.de reported.

Daniel Freimuth, Managing Director of Hanau Marketing GmbH, emphasizes the flexibility of the concept. Again and again the stores should change to offer customers new incentives again and again. The first balance sheet after the opening is consistently positive: the Stadthof is already perceived as a social meeting point. Since opening up to Pentecost, 169,000 visitors have gathered in the halls, which is an average of 2,350 per opening day and on Saturdays up to 3,000. A real sense of achievement for the operators! The atmosphere received an assessment of 7.7 out of 10 points, while the attractiveness of the stores was assessed with 5.3 points.

a place of coming together

The ground floor of the city courtyard extends over 2,000 square meters and is divided into smaller areas for pop-up stores, creative rooms and a café. The Agora, with a stage and grandstand, is intended to serve as a central meeting point where appearances and lectures can take place. This could be an important step to revitalize the city center, because the Corona pandemic has put many inner cities under pressure, as the platform popupstores.de . Pop-up stores help to reduce the vacancy in cities and to locate new dealers.

But the plans go far beyond the first few months. From September, the exhibition "Body Worlds" will be on the first floor to attract up to 100,000 visitors. In the long term, the “House of Health” and medical offers are planned for this floor. The Brüder-Grimm Academy as the largest tenant will also find a long-term place on the second floor, while the ground floor is further upgraded by new events and extended offers from the shops.

a creative experiment

The central element of the city courtyard is the openness to change. As Mayor Claus Kaminsky emphasizes, the city wants to actively use the property and do not let go. The new design elements on the ground floor, such as colorful ground lines and wooden or brick walls, are also a sign that Hanau is considered a pioneer in the region. Cities like Offenbach observe the developments exactly to realize similar concepts. The city tour is also open to adjustments if the concept does not bring the desired success, including the possibility of accommodating a school in the building, such as "https://www.hessenschau.de/wirtschaft/pop-up-hanau-neuer-stadthof-eroeffnet-v1au-stadthof-106.html" Target = "hessenschau.de reported.

With the Stadthof, Hanau relies on a creative experiment that should not only revitalize the city center, but also strengthen social cohesion. The coming months will show whether this concept falls on fertile soil and Hanau becomes a lively attraction for visitors from near and far.