Cost explosion in the Pingusson construction: renovation now at 80 million euros!

Cost explosion in the Pingusson construction: renovation now at 80 million euros!

The Pingusson building in Saarbrücken is facing costly renovation, which is presenting the Saarland state government with significant challenges. According to current estimates, the renovation costs could rise to up to 80 million euros. This means that the new estimate is more than 20 million euros above the last estimated 59 million euros, which corresponds to an increase of over 35 percent saarbruecker-zeitung.de reported.

The current figures were published at the request of CDU state parliament member Jutta Schmitt-Lang, although the government had not previously announced an updated cost estimate. What is particularly striking is that the estimate in 2020 was only 31 million euros. The Pingusson building, designed by the French architect Georges-Henri Pingusson, served as the location of the Ministry of Education until 2014 and is now the target of a comprehensive general renovation, which is classified as culturally and economically significant.

Renovation and its challenges

The Saarland state government made a first decision in 2011, but it was never implemented. The latest decision on the renovation was announced by the responsible ministries for construction and education and culture on Friday. It should be noted that new development on the site is not possible due to its proximity to the motorway. After the renovation is completed, which is scheduled to begin in 2026 at the earliest, the Ministry of Education and Culture will move back into the building. The renovation work, which SPD parliamentary group leader Ulrich Commerçon estimates could take around seven years, also includes the interior design of the elongated structure, also known as the "narrow towel".

But what exactly is driving the costs up so much? Experts point out that the renovation of listed properties must combine historical beauty with modern requirements. The Blog about renovation costs emphasizes that energy-related renovation measures are necessary to reduce energy requirements and thereby also reduce CO2 emissions. Inefficient heating systems and uninsulated building shells can cause high emissions, especially in unrenovated old buildings.

Numerous factors influence the renovation costs, from insulation to the installation of modern heating systems. The planning and approval of special measures are essential and can involve bureaucratic effort. The need to involve a specialist engineer in order to apply for funding and comply with legal requirements is also often pointed out.

Economic aspects and funding opportunities

The topic of funding opportunities also plays a central role. Government subsidies and tax advantages can help reduce the total renovation costs and reduce the financial burden on public budgets. A combination of different funding programs makes renovation more attractive from a financial perspective, even if there are some hurdles to overcome.

A building complex like the Pingusson Building, which carries left-wing memories of bygone times, not only requires considerable financial expenditure, but also a good concept in order to meet the high expectations in terms of monument protection and modern demands. It remains to be seen whether the state government has a good hand in the upcoming decisions.

In summary, the Pingusson building represents not only an architectural heritage, but also a symbol of the challenges facing the Saarland state government. The decision to renovate could set the course for the future use and appreciation of this historic building.