At a joint press conference in Düsseldorf, the state capital Düsseldorf and Hochtief last week unveiled their plans for the new rehearsal building for the ballet company of the Deutsche Oper am Rhein.

Hochtief PPP Solutions and Hochtief Building will construct the new rehearsal building close to the former Rheinbahn Deport in Düsseldorf-Bilk. The corresponding contracts have already been signed. The new building - designed by the firm of architects, Gerkan, Marg and Partner - is to be constructed on the basis of a public-private partnership between the city and Hochtief.

The Social Infrastructure Europe branch of Hochtief PPP Solutions and the PPP Erfurt branch of Hochtief Building will together handle the planning and construction of the rehearsal building. Under the terms of a lease agreement, Hochtief will subsequently operate the building for 30 years. The project, inclusive of financing, has a value of some €25.7 million. This sum also includes the contractually agreed operation payments. The financing of the project was arranged through Deutsche Kreditbank AG, Berlin.

Construction of the new rehearsal building is due to start in August 2014 and should be completed in July 2015.

The building will stand on a previously open space beside the former Rheinbahn Depot. The state capital Düsseldorf owns the lot and has granted Hochtief a heritable building right. The tenant will be the Deutsche Oper am Rhein. Hochtief PPP Solutions will contract the company SPIE to handle some elements of the later building management.

Five halls with changing rooms for 48 dancers and a ballet school for a current 55 students will be built on the useful area of around 3,000 square meters. One of the ballet halls will feature a grandstand. The building will be entered via a double-height foyer with lounge area, and will have many special functions. Alongside a quiet zone, a sauna and a physiotherapy room, the new building will also contain offices and an apartment.