Leipzig clears room for new natural history museum in city centre

News

Leipzig announced plans to build a new natural history museum in city centre, noting that construction will start in March next year.

Under Mayor of Leipzig Burkhard Jung, the city is planning to tear down a former bowling club and erect the museum in its place.

Deputy Mayor of Leipzig for Cultural Affairs Skadi Jennicke pointed out that the city wants to build a modern natural history museum with scientific standards and an educational mission. She expressed belief that the project will have regional impact and provide value to the city.

Leipzig authorities pointed out that the structural study is underway and reiterated that the plan is to start demolishing the old bowling club in March next year. The building was constructed in 1926 as an underground substation and repurposed as a sports facility in 1987. It was closed in 1997.

Deputy Mayor of Leipzig for Urban Development and Construction Thomas Dienberg noted that the natural history museum will be the central building block of development of the area.

“I am pleased that the post-modern bowling club, which is a listed building, can be further developed in a contemporary architectural language,” he concluded.

Ronny Maik Leder, Director General of the Natural History Museum of the City of Leipzig, said he is happy the project will be launched soon.

He reminded that the old bowling club is a listed building and concluded that the new museum will arouse curiosity and give Leipzig a new look.

(Image credit: Lindenkreuz Eggert / ARGE W&V Architekten/ bbz landschaftsarchitekten/ Staupendahl & Partner)