The most-anticipated concert hall in Hamburg designed by Herzog&de Meuron is officially set to open on January 11 and 12, 2017 in Hamburg’s HafenCity, but the Plaza of the Elbphilharmonie – a public viewing platform situated between the former warehouse and the new glass structure – was officially opened to public at a ceremony on November 4. 

The event to mark the opening of the Plaza and the handover of the completed building by the construction firm Hochtief was attended by the Mayor of Hamburg, Olaf Scholz, the CEO of Hochtief AG, Marcelino Fernández Verdes, General and Artistic Director Christoph Lieben-Seutter and the architects Jacques Herzog, Pierre de Meuron and Ascan Mergenthaler from the firm Herzog & de Meuron. 

Nigh view. Image © Iwan Baan 

Some 200 Hamburg residents were also invited, from pupils at the neighbouring Katharinenschule to former dock workers who used to work in Kaispeicher A – the warehouse on which the new concert hall has been built.

Plaza. Image © Iwan Baan 

The observation deck of the concert hall, which follows a public square concept, is located at a height of 37 metres above ground level, between the historical brick warehouse foundation and the new glass structure. Visitors reach the deck via an 82-metre-long, curved escalator which leads to a large panorama window. From there, the path follows a second smaller escalator and spaciously designed stairs to the Plaza itself. An exterior walkway around the building offers fantastic views of the city and the harbour.

The interior of the Plaza houses the stairs to the concert halls, the lobby of The Westin Hamburg hotel and the takeaway café Deck & Deli. It is also home to the Elbphilharmonie shop, which sells books, CDs and products created specially for the venue. In the name of the ceremony, the Elbphilharmonie has published a set of images of concert hall taken by acclaimed architecture photographer Iwan Baan.

Exterior view. Image © Iwan Baan 

The Plaza is now open to all visitors from Hamburg and around the world starting on Saturday, 5 November 2016. Music will be performed on the Plaza throughout the weekend to celebrate its opening. As the visitor capacity is limited, admission will be regulated by the issue of tickets. 

Plaza. Image © Iwan Baan 

''The Elbphilharmonie is much more than just a spectacular concert hall. It is a unique place, which reflects Hamburg’s social and cultural life. With the Plaza, we wanted to create a place for everyone with a unique panorama: the outward-looking design of the spacious terrace, sprawling on the warehouse like a new public square, counterbalances the inward focus of the philharmonic hall above it,'' said Herzog&de Meuron at the opening.

Plaza. Image © Iwan Baan 

''Hamburg has one of the best concert halls in the world now. I am delighted that we are holding the first of several official opening ceremonies here on the Plaza. Right now, we are standing in the Port of Hamburg, 37 metres above sea level at the highest public square in northern Germany - and there is a skyscraper above our heads. The Elbphilharmonie is a place for everyone. Hamburg is a city of music, and you could call this its parliament. It is a concert hall that will wow the world,'' added Hamburg’s Mayor Olaf Scholz in his speech.

Plaza. Image © Iwan Baan 

Grand Hall Foyer. Image © Iwan Baan

Grand Hall Foyer. Image © Iwan Baan

Grand Hall Foyer. Image © Iwan Baan

Grand Hall Foyer. Image © Iwan Baan

Grand Hall Foyer. Image © Iwan Baan

Grand Hall. Image © Iwan Baan

Grand Hall Detail. Image © Iwan Baan

Rooftop. Image © Iwan Baan

Tube. Image © Iwan Baan

Tube. Image © Iwan Baan

Foyer Kleiner Saal. Image © Iwan Baan

Grand Hall. Image © Michael Zapf

Grand Hall. Image © Michael Zapf

Grand Hall. Image © Michael Zapf

Exterior view. Image © Michael Zapf

Architects Jacques Herzog, Ascan Mergenthaler, Pierre de Meuron / Olaf Scholz, Mayor of Hamburg / Marcelino Fernández Verdes, CEO Hochtief AG / Christoph Lieben-Seutter, General & Artistic Director / Enno Isermann, spokesperson for the Department of Culture in Hamburg-at press conference on November 4. Image © Michael Zapf

Top image © Iwan Baan

> via The Elbphilharmonie