The “castle” can be seen from afar, peaking between Allach’s roofs. A historic, six-story building that rises into the sky between Ludwigsfelder Strasse, Georg-Reismüller-Strasse and the railway line. Michael Griesbeck calls the “old Hogwarts in Munich” the old soup seasoning on the Diamalt site. What appears to be a festival was formerly a malt factory: Diamalt AG, which was founded 120 years ago, produced baking powder, malt sweets and their most well-known product, Ovaltine, in this crooked building.
After the company left in 1994, the area became a junkyard and the industrial monument became a “Lost Place”. The area is now a residential area, everything immaculate, modern blocks of houses, a renovated boiler house, soundproof walls. The soup spice will be converted into hip loft offices by November 2023 by the new owner, the Munich Optima-Aegidius Group, whose authorized signatory is Griesbeck.
A whiff of adventure still wafts through the weathered brick walls. Dust lies on the historic floor tiles, high steel girders support the hall ceilings constructed of arches. The refurbishment began last autumn and the building was completely scaffolded. As much as possible of the austere charm should be preserved. “We have a passion for historical projects, that’s what we’re passionate about,” says Griesbeck. The fact that this is not always easy does not deter him, site manager Matthias Kukla or project manager Petra Seifert.
On the construction site (from left): Authorized officer Michael Griesbeck, site manager Matthias Kukla and project manager Petra Seifert.
(Photo: Robert Haas)
Example windows: They should look like they did 100 years ago, but at the same time meet modern requirements for heat and sound insulation. Or the vaulted ceilings: “We’re trying to preserve the caps, but we have to take fire safety into account,” explains site manager Kukla. So out with the riveted steel beams – only to reinstall them later.
After the renovation, 4500 square meters of office space are available in the old soup wort. It is not yet clear who will move into the building. “We are negotiating with various interested parties, but nothing has been signed yet,” says project manager Seifert. The entire building does not have to be rented en bloc, the areas can be divided. The 800 square meter basement is particularly flexible. “3D printers can go in there, as can CNC machines.” Griesbeck can also imagine a fitness studio, a creative workshop or an art gallery in the attached workshop. Those responsible for the project particularly liked exhibits related to Allach, such as an old MAN truck chassis.
There is still a lot to do in the former soup seasoning …
(Photo: private)
… until it looks like this inside …
(Photo: New Westside Projekt GmbH & Co. KG)
… and from the outside like this.
(Photo: New Westside Projekt GmbH & Co. KG)
“The Malt”, as the place is now called, is more than just the renovated soup seasoning factory. The “Campus”, which is being developed for around 50 million euros, also includes a second listed building, the “Werkstatt”. The showpiece of this three-nave building is a massive crane hanging from the ceiling. Initially it was planned to use the 1000 square meter brick hall for gastronomy, events, culture and possibly a neighborhood meeting place. But now the R18 bicycle workshop will move in there in May.
The establishment of the Evangelical Youth, which aims to integrate young people socially and professionally, has to leave its previous home in Milbertshofen at the end of the year and has been looking for a new location for a long time in vain. She is happy, says Seifert, to be able to help the company with the workshop building solution. Even if the planned small café is no longer available. However, there may be a tenant in the main building who would still make this offer possible.
The third part of the campus project, a new building along the railway line, is also well advanced. The five-storey transverse building houses rooms for a day-care center. The climbing frame on the ceiling and the stone animals in the garden are waiting for the 60 little girls and boys who will be cared for in the house in a few months. In mid-2023, the 21 one- to three-room rental apartments, intended as company apartments, above the day care center should be ready for occupancy – including a view of the Alps, a communal roof terrace and a green pergola.
And the space between the former soup seasoning factory and the workshop? The communicative heart of the Diamaltpark is to be built where there is currently still a lot of building material stored above an underground car park with 90 parking spaces. The area will have a special surface, clinker bricks with a herringbone look, benches, a fountain, works of art, 20-metre-high trees and lawns. Maybe one day there will also be a market and activities of individual clubs. “In any case, our wish would be for the square to become a meeting place for the residents of Allach,” says Griesbeck. For everyone – long-time residents as well as newcomers.