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The new Bonatzbau on Arnulf-Klett-Platz

The Bonatzbau at Stuttgart's main railway station is undergoing extensive refurbishment in the immediate vicinity of the major Stuttgart 21 project. Whilst its interior is being completely redesigned, the almost 100-year-old station building, with its listed façade, remains a defining feature of the cityscape.
  • The picture shows many cranes and the Bonatzbau surrounded by scaffolding. © ZÜBLIN - Achim Birnbaum
    The picture shows many cranes and the Bonatzbau surrounded by scaffolding. © ZÜBLIN - Achim Birnbaum
Client
DB Stuttgart-Ulm GmbH project
Contractor
Ed. Züblin AG
Location
Stuttgart
Type of building
Building construction
Construction method
Refurbishment
A symbol of building in existing structures: in the foreground, a construction worker on scaffolding is working on the listed façade, while the shell of the new mezzanine level can be seen in the background. © ZÜBLIN - Achim Birnbaum

Historical heritage meets modern architecture

The listed Bonatzbau will continue to fulfil its role as a prestigious entrance structure to Stuttgart’s new main station, combining historic with contemporary architecture. The design by ingenhoven associates preserves the existing structure’s individual character and complements it with bold, new elements. The project impresses with its successful balance between old and new: whilst the striking natural stone façades are retained, new building elements are being created inside to meet today’s technical and functional requirements.

The shell of a future entrance portal with three entrances. © ZÜBLIN - Achim Birnbaum

New ideas at Arnulf-Klett-Platz

A ‘house-within-a-house’ structure forms the basis for modern use inside the building: a new main access level at the level of Arnulf-Klett-Platz brings together Deutsche Bahn services, retail outlets and restaurants. Above this, two light-filled levels have been created to house hotel, restaurant and conference facilities. The modernisation of the Bonatzbau is characterised by high demands on design and execution. The preservation of listed building elements requires precise surveys of the existing structure and a sensitive approach to the historic fabric.

  • A portrait of Benedikt Zeisner on the construction site.

    The design was extremely complex, as the building fabric from different eras had to be taken into account, the construction process posed significant challenges, and the structural design was technically very demanding.

    Benedikt Zeisner
    Project Manager Structural Framework Design, Zentrale Technik

Building refurbishment transforms a striking landmark

The picture shows a tablet with the digital model of a portal of the Bonatzbau. © Daniel Wanders/ZÜBLIN

Complexity between monument protection and technology

At Bonatzbau, designs for existing buildings were consistently developed and verified in close cooperation with the client and the relevant regulatory bodies. Test bench trials led to optimised façade and window solutions that are technically sound and meet the aesthetic requirements of heritage conservation. A key feature of the project is its focus on ease of implementation: despite the high level of technical complexity, solutions were devised that can be efficiently implemented on site – from the demanding structural work to the façades.

This picture shows the main access level of the new Bonatzbau at the level of Arnulf-Klett-Platz. © ZÜBLIN - Achim Birnbaum

Combining tradition and modernity

The project’s success is based on technical expertise, open communication and the collaboration between our structural engineering, building services and façade engineering departments. Zentrale Technik contributed in-depth specialist knowledge in structural and façade engineering, its experience in dealing with listed buildings and its ability to think outside the box when renovating existing structures. In this way, we are making a decisive contribution to preserving the Bonatzbau as part of Stuttgart's architectural heritage whilst ensuring it is fit for the future.

Services

  • Design and construction from a single source
    • Assistance with inventory surveys
  • Engineering services according to HOAI
    • Support for service phase 3: Conceptual design
    • Support for service phase 4: Authorisation design
    • Service phase 5: Execution design
  • Sustainable Engineering
    • Survey and assessment of existing structures
    • Structural framework specialist design
    • Facade specialist design
  • Smart Engineering

Bonatzbau Stuttgart 21 - Gallery

  • The picture shows the massive steel scaffolding that stabilizes the load-bearing façade of the Bonatzbau from the inside.
    © ZÜBLIN - Achim Birnbaum
  • Many construction workers are working on the extension in the inner courtyard of the Bonatzbau.
    © ZÜBLIN - Achim Birnbaum
  • The picture shows the progress of the interior work in the Bonatzbau in July 2025.
    © ZÜBLIN - Achim Birnbaum
  • The picture shows the lowest level in the new Bonatzbau at the level of the underground station.
    © ZÜBLIN - Achim Birnbaum
  • The picture shows a brick entrance portal of the Bonatzbau. © ZÜBLIN - Achim Birnbaum
    The picture shows a brick entrance portal of the Bonatzbau. © ZÜBLIN - Achim Birnbaum
  • This picture shows the main access level of the new Bonatzbau at the level of Arnulf-Klett-Platz. © ZÜBLIN - Achim Birnbaum
    This picture shows the main access level of the new Bonatzbau at the level of Arnulf-Klett-Platz. © ZÜBLIN - Achim Birnbaum
  • In the foreground is one of the main entrances to Stuttgart 21, in the background the tower of the Bonatzbau on Arnulf-Klett-Platz. © ZÜBLIN - Achim Birnbaum
    In the foreground is one of the main entrances to Stuttgart 21, in the background the tower of the Bonatzbau on Arnulf-Klett-Platz. © ZÜBLIN - Achim Birnbaum
  • A digitally generated image of the renovated Bonatzbau on Arnulf-Klett-Platz. © Premier Inn Deutschland
    A digitally generated image of the renovated Bonatzbau on Arnulf-Klett-Platz. © Premier Inn Deutschland
  • The picture shows the progress of the house-in-house construction in the Bonatzbau. © ZÜBLIN - Achim Birnbaum
    The picture shows the progress of the house-in-house construction in the Bonatzbau. © ZÜBLIN - Achim Birnbaum
  • The picture shows steel girders supporting the listed façade of the Bonatzbau. © ZÜBLIN - Achim Birnbaum
    The picture shows steel girders supporting the listed façade of the Bonatzbau. © ZÜBLIN - Achim Birnbaum