The rehabilitation of the old port is one of Düsseldorf’s most spectacularprojects. Over the last 30 years star architects such as Renzo Piano, Helmut Jahn, David Chipperfield and Frank Gehry have immortalisedthemselves with modern buildings.
What makes the MedienHafen special is its architectural diversity, which produces a creative connection with the river and shipping. The buildings have distinctive names such as Wolkenbügel (Cloud Iron), Sign! or The Living Bridge.
One of the most beautiful viewing points in Düsseldorf is Pebble’s Terrace, behind which one can see the luxurious Hyatt Hotel. You can take a seat here beside the UFO-like
pavilion – clad with aluminium shingles – and drink a sundowner. A truly premium spot where you can enjoy an unobstructed view of the city and the river. The Gehry buildings are extremely popular with Instagrammers, photographers and photography courses. In fact, there is always someone taking a picture here. The three swaying towers in white, silver and red are the most eye-catching feature of the MedienHafen. Tilted walls, warped towers, windows canted within the walls – every detail is worth a photo. The Californian architect Frank O. Gehry, who previously designed the spectacular Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, bestowed a magnificent gift on Düsseldorf. The ensemble – mainly home to advertisers, lawyers and architects – is known as the Neuer Zollhof. Düsseldorf’s marina is located to the front in the harbour basin. As everywhere in Düsseldorf, art is not far away either. In a former warehouse at Kai 10, the Arthena Foundation offers an ambitious exhibition programme featuring young, international art.
The best view of Düsseldorf and the surrounding region is from the Rheinturm (Rhine tower). The city’s highest building at 240.5 metres stands at the entrance to the MedienHafen. Apart from its viewing platform, it also houses a restaurant. The view can be seen from every angle because a mechanism allows the restaurant to rotate 360 degrees every 72 minutes. There are also many restaurants and bars below at the harbour basin ranging from vegetarian to French bistro cuisine to burger joints. Two particular highlights are the Restaurant Lido, housed in a glass cube in the middle of the harbour basin, and Berens am Kai, which boasts a Michelin star.
Further information at duesseldorf-tourismus.de