The redesign of the center of Illingen

The site of the former Höll meat and sausage factory in Saarbrücken was to be revitalized. The landscape architects and urban planners from HDK Dutt + Kist GmbH took on this mission. The municipality of Illingen wanted a lively town center with shopping facilities, but also with apartments and a new market square – a new meeting place for residents and visitors was to be created.

The course is set for a new center

The project was managed by the municipality of Illingen itself, the Illingen-based investor Brauturmgalerie and Landesentwicklungsgesellschaft Saarland, a subsidiary of Stahl-Holding-Saar (SHS for short). A sum of around 35 million euros was set aside for the project. Funding was made possible by subsidies from the EU, the state and the federal government. A private investor and the municipality itself also contributed to the costs.

Initially, the focus was on the demolition of the former meat factory building, which had been unused for years – a measure in which around €500,000 was invested. In addition to the removal of rubble, the demolition process was complicated by contaminated soil. Only then was it possible to start implementing the new use plans.
 

The choice of materials speaks for itself

The planners opted for Italian porphyry and four different granite stones from Scandinavia. The natural stones, sawn and flamed in different formats, were laid as paving using a bonded construction method and significantly enhance the appearance of the new town center. The combination of red and gray belgrano® natural stone, affectionately known as “pixel paving”, creates an inviting place for the 16,000 inhabitants of the Saarland community and their visitors to linger.