Düsseldorf's Kaufhof Rooftop to Become a Cultural and Dining Hub This Summer
Düsseldorf’s city council has approved plans to turn the rooftop of the former Kaufhof department store into a temporary cultural and dining space. The project, backed by a coalition of the Greens and the CDU, aims to open the venue by this summer. Officials hope the initiative will follow the success of Berlin’s Klunkerkranich, a well-known rooftop bar and event space.
The motion received wide support in the council, with only the AfD opposing it. The Left Party had pushed for a more community-driven, accessible concept but lacked the votes to pass their proposal. Instead, the Black-Green coalition’s plan moved forward, stressing a quick rollout without extra financial burden on the city.
Mayor and Green Party cultural spokesperson Clara Gerlach highlighted the site’s potential, praising its central location and sweeping views over Düsseldorf. The project will now go to tender, with the future operator expected to fund the necessary adaptations to the space. The rooftop venue is seen as a short-term solution while the city prepares for a new opera house on the same site in the coming years. The Kaufhof building, largely empty since the department store closed, will gain a new purpose as a cultural and gastronomic hub—at least until construction begins.
The temporary rooftop space could launch as early as summer, offering events, dining, and city views. With the operator covering adaptation costs, the project avoids straining public funds. Once complete, it will serve as a cultural hotspot until the planned opera house takes its place.
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