Uncertain future for Porte de Hollerich

(CS/SH) Plans for a real estate development at the Porte de Hollerich in Luxembourg City could offer housing for 5,000 people, but the project has received a number of setbacks and its future is uncertain.

On a 50 hectare area of land between the church in Hollerich and the end of the motorway in Merl, a new development was envisioned several years ago. Similar to the Ban de Gasperich, it was meant to include homes, offices, shops and a school, in addition to a number of parks.

The tram was meant to connect the new neighbourhood to the City centre, with cycling paths running through the development and the Rue de Bouillon acting as a major thoroughfare.

The project was meant to be developed in several phases, with a first major push to begin with for the concept to work and be attractive to future residents. However, it is uncertain when the plans will ever come to fruition, as many questions remain.

Gas holder to be demolished 2016

The project was first presented together with plans for a train station in Cessange. However, when the latter was given up, the fate of the Porte de Hollerich also became uncertain. The concept has since been redeveloped without the train station, but with an option to add one later.

However, the City of Luxembourg does not own all the land needed for the development. While contact has been established to some of them, the situation is far from resolved.

Additionally, land owned by Paul Wurth and Heintz van Landewynck might be needed for the tram connection. City bus services would also have to be reorganised, as the Porte de Hollerich would disrupt a number of lines.

The Pétrusse river, which runs near the site, could pose additional problems. Since the 1960s, it runs through a concrete channel in the area. However, there are plans to restore the natural riverbed with studies being carried out to determine how this could be accomplished.

The gas holder at the site meanwhile is set to be demolished starting 2016. The reclassification of land coud start next year at the earliest. How long it will take for all the pieces of the puzzle to fall into place, however, is anybody's guess.