Demolition of the Joh department store in Friedberg: delays due to excavations!

Demolition of the Joh department store in Friedberg: delays due to excavations!

A major change is on the horizon at Elvis-Presley-Platz in Friedberg: the former Joh department store will not be demolished until fall 2025 at the earliest. This is reported by the Frankfurter Neue Presse. The reason for the delay is numerous measures that must be completed before demolition, including the relocation of a 35-ton transformer station and archaeological excavations.

As Karsten Schminke, project manager at MB Massiv Bau GmbH, explains, the demolition is more complex than originally thought. The transformer station, which is essential for supplying electricity to the city center, was moved to its new location in mid-May, but commissioning by the responsible energy supplier is not expected until the third quarter of 2025. In addition, before the ground is prepared for demolition, archaeological finds must be secured and documented, which entails an uncertain period of time.

From the department store to a new life

The Joh department store must be completely demolished to make room for the planned Kaiser Forum. This includes apartments, offices and shops – a real winner for the cityscape in Friedberg. That's how it will be Werkmann group invest around 36.5 million euros in the new construction projects. A total of 45 apartments and a full-range grocery store on the ground floor will be built in the new complex, which will increase both the quality of living and the variety of offerings.

The Kaiser Forum will not only impress with modern apartments, but will also have an underground car park with 38 car and 86 bicycle parking spaces. Three-part buildings with bright inner courtyards, roof gardens and a roof café are also intended to enliven the new center. The facade facing Kaiserstrasse will be designed in a modern way to appear fresh and inviting.

The challenges of demolition

According to the Architectural and environmental organizations The demolition of buildings is now a sensitive issue in Germany. The so-called demolition atlas shows that millions of tons of CO2 and waste are created every year through the destruction of buildings. This not only increases the ecological footprint, but also endangers historical building culture and social interaction.

A rethink is required: the preservation and sustainable use of existing properties should come before new buildings in order to conserve resources and preserve cultural values. This discussion is also evident in Friedberg, where the fate of the Joh department store is an example of the complex balancing act between new construction and preservation of the old.

In the meantime, local residents will remain informed of any updates on the demolition and information mailings to area businesses have already begun. Measures to reduce dust during demolition will also be an issue in order to avoid unnecessary burden on residents.

At the end of this process, a new, lively space will emerge in Friedberg that will hopefully meet the needs of its citizens and provide new impetus for city life.