ingenhoven associates are responsible for the overall architectural concept of the conversion of Cologne’s former CAPITOL TV production facility into a hotel. Key elements of the project include the design of the façades of the existing structure and a new hotel building located in the inner courtyard. Situated in a prime central location between the Belgian Quarter and the Gerling District, the site has been developed into a four-star boutique hotel. The new 186-room building occupies a 4,000 square meter courtyard area and comprises six upper floors, with access provided via Hohenzollernring.
In addition to the hotel, the project includes a high-quality retail component with a gross floor area of 1,800 square meters. This retail space is distributed between the existing CAPITOL building and the newly constructed courtyard building.
Originally opened in 1929 and rebuilt in 1954, the CAPITOL was for decades Cologne’s most important cinema. In the late 1990s, it gained nationwide recognition as the studio for popular German TV programs such as The Harald Schmidt Show and TV Total. Retaining the CAPITOL name, ingenhoven associates have given the historic building a new identity through a thoughtful and sustainable architectural intervention.
The central design motif is that of a stacked pyramid – a “green lung” at the heart of the new hotel. This concept is expressed through multiple offset, planted terraces and floor-to-ceiling windows facing the courtyard, offering natural light and visual connections to greenery throughout the interior-facing rooms.
The façade fronting Hohenzollernring establishes a distinguished address for the hotel, office spaces, and retail units. It features a transparent and elegant frontage that opens toward the lush, green inner courtyard, forming an inviting and distinctive presence that draws the attention of pedestrians. The courtyard itself provides shade, filters dust particles, and – with abundant vegetation – regulates air humidity. Designed as a sheltered square, it contributes significantly to sound insulation and overall microclimatic improvement.
From an urban planning perspective, the completed development enhances the character and vibrancy of the Hohenzollernring area. At the same time, it represents a respectful and contemporary architectural addition to the neighboring Belgian Quarter.
