Laboratory for Visionary Architecture (LAVA) has collaborated with agricultural collective Cityplot to design a lifelong learning centre in Germany that uses social, spatial and leisure elements to optimise the learning process. Life Hamburg will be a 12,000sq m (129,000sq ft) figure-of-eight-shaped building that is aimed at reinventing learning for 800 children and 800 adults. The centre's design is based on the purpose-inspired and personal learning educational principles of Learnlife and

A new railway station development in Hamburg, Germany, has been commissioned, with a view to the hub being more than just another stop on the tracks but indeed an architectural representation of the green credentials of the city around it. Hamburg-Altona station will house a rooftop green space and two towers on that roofscape, as well as cafés, restaurants, shops, fitness facilities, bicycle parking, waiting areas and entrance lobbies at

The first foundation stone has been laid to mark the beginning of construction of Hamburg Innovation Port, a 60,000sq m (645,800sq ft) mixed-use development for the city’s inner harbour. Designed by MVRDV, the project connects existing port typologies and office buildings with public leisure spaces, with bridges and walkways linking the amenities. “There is a park, a boulevard, a square, shared spaces and a waterside promenade that invites office workers

David Chipperfield Architects and Stephen Williams Associates have transformed Hamburg’s former Ministry for Urban Development building into a culinary and cultural hub and hotel, called Tortue, for the emerging Stadthöfe Quarter. The studios have converted the six-storey landmarked building – which dates from 1888 – while retaining its imposing redbrick façade. Inside, restored columns, soaring ceilings and wrought-iron marquees feature alongside mosaic tiled flooring, tall arched windows and original frescos

International hospitality firm Entourage Group hopes to speed up Hamburg’s emergence as a serious leisure and hospitality destination with the opening of a new luxury boutique hotel inside a 19th century warehouse on the city’s waterfront. Opening later this year, the 94-room Sir Nikolai has been designed by Dutch practice FG Stijl as a “showcase for artisanal quality and tradition” – with curated art, vintage rugs, unrefined wood and polished

The wealthy owner of one of the world’s largest logistics companies is preparing to open a luxurious new Hamburg hotel, designed to promote the city’s image and capitalise on the popularity of Herzog and de Meuron’s recently-opened Elbphilharmonie. Set to open in the final quarter of 2017, The Fontenay will be the first five-star hotel to open in Hamburg for almost two decades. The 131-bedroom property will be located close

A 1,300sq m (13,993sq ft) spa has opened on the sixth floor of the new Hamburg Elbphilharmonie concert hall, a shimmering, glass-covered building designed by Swiss architecture studio Herzog & de Meuron. The elb spa features six treatment rooms on the upper floors of the Westin Hamburg, and has views of the spot where the port and city meet on the River Elbe. German skincare brand Babor has created exclusive

An elevated public platform within Herzog and de Meuron’s Hamburg Elbphilharmonie has been officially opened, along with building’s restaurants, cafés, bars and hotel. Following nine and a half years of construction, the City of Hamburg has taken delivery of the building from construction firm Hochtief, and a ceremony to mark the milestone was held on 5 November. Former dock workers and local students were among 200 Hamburg residents invited to

Dramatic new drone footage has been released to showcase the architectural features of Herzog and de Meuron’s hotly-awaited Elbe Philharmonic building in Hamburg, Germany. The shimmering complex will house three concert halls, a Starwood Westin hotel and spa, 45 private apartments and an indoor public plaza when it officially opens on 11 January 2017. To whet appetites for the curtain-raising, a new website has been set up taking viewers on

Hamburg (Germany), Rome (Italy), Budapest (Hungary), Los Angeles (US) and Paris (France) have submitted official bids to host the 2024 summer Olympic Games. Los Angeles is a late addition to the list, following the withdrawal of Boston from the process in July. Boston’s decision left the US Olympic Committee (USOC) – which had committed to submitting a bid for the 2024 Games – with just weeks to plan and come