The transformation of a former Nazi bunker into a luxury hotel in Hamburg has attracted considerable attention.
The Reverb Hotel, which has taken over the historic St. Pauli Bunker, initially served as a shelter for German troops during World War II. This repurposing has turned the bunker into a high-end establishment featuring 134 guest rooms, a rooftop garden, and a concert hall with a capacity of 2,000 people. Various media outlets, including Thrillist, have covered the redevelopment.
A hotel representative said, “We invested $100 million to convert the bunker into a hotel.” The renovated hotel officially opened its doors on July 5.
Initially built in 1942, the bunker served as a shelter for German forces during air raids. Following World War II and the fall of Hitler’s regime, Germany took a strong stance against Nazi propaganda, sparking ongoing debates about the fate of the bunker, a relic of Nazism.
The bunker is an imposing 11-foot (335 cm) tall reinforced concrete structure with 8 feet (243 cm) thick exterior walls. This makes demolition formidable and requires substantial explosives. Due to concerns that such an approach could pose risks to nearby residents, local authorities opted to preserve the building through renovation.
Inside the Reverb Hotel, a memorial has been established to honor the victims of Nazism and World War II. The NH Hotel Group, which oversaw the hotel’s development, emphasized the importance of sensitively addressing the site’s historical context. The group stated, “We are committed to presenting the local history in a new and respectful manner.”
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