Quays To Success
Business Traveller Middle East|May 2018

Hamburg’s renaissance is centred on the docks, but reaches every street corner

Andrew Eames
Quays To Success

There’s a new word on the streets of Germany’s second biggest city: to “cornern”. In our era of smartphones and predictive text, where language gets mashed, this piece of Denglish means to buy a beer from a kiosk and stand on a street corner chatting with a group of friends. It is something of a social phenomenon in the trendier areas of Hamburg on sunny summer evenings. Elements of Hamburg society don’t like this “cornerning”, and it certainly doesn’t sit comfortably with the staid, buttoned-up image of the wealthy trading city. But then this is also the city that has recently been declared the most liveable in Germany (Economist Intelligence Unit), the fourth best city destination in the world (Lonely Planet), and home to the world’s best nightlife (Hostelworld).

Locals are slightly mystified by all these sudden accolades. Hamburg has been like this for a long time, they say, but it seems that the rest of us are only just cottoning on.

There’s a very big reason for this “why now?” A reason that rises proudly from among the former wharves. The Elbphilharmonie, or Elphi for short, is a giant construct of glass and brick, a radical wave-topped warehouse. This hugely expensive concert hall/hotel/apartment block is Hamburg’s equivalent of the Eiffel Tower, and it has attracted a staggering four million visitors in its first year of operation. And that includes an awful lot of bloggers and journalists whose media coverage has put the city on the map.

Downtown

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM BUSINESS TRAVELLER MIDDLE EASTView all
Onwards and upwards
Business Traveller Middle East

Onwards and upwards

In an exclusive interview with Ian Fairservice for Business Traveller, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and CEO and Founder of the Emirates Group, provides insight into the current and future state of travel and Emirates’ pivotal role in getting the industry back on track

time-read
5 mins  |
July - August 2021
Cleaning up the crisis
Business Traveller Middle East

Cleaning up the crisis

How hotels have risen to the challenge of keeping guests safe during the pandemic

time-read
10 mins  |
May - June 2021
The Great Vegas Meetings Magic Act
Business Traveller Middle East

The Great Vegas Meetings Magic Act

The city is working hard to conjure up events and make millions of visitors reappear

time-read
9 mins  |
May - June 2021
TAKES OFF
Business Traveller Middle East

TAKES OFF

Corporations are seeking new travel solutions that put safety and convenience first

time-read
5 mins  |
May - June 2021
TEE TIME IN TOKYO
Business Traveller Middle East

TEE TIME IN TOKYO

The Tokyo Olympics may be delayed, but the golf courses around Japan’s capital aren’t slowing down

time-read
5 mins  |
May - June 2021
KEYS TO THE KINGDOM
Business Traveller Middle East

KEYS TO THE KINGDOM

New and upcoming hotels to check out when you next visit Saudi Arabia

time-read
10+ mins  |
May - June 2021
QATAR CALLING
Business Traveller Middle East

QATAR CALLING

A swathe of hotels are opening in the Gulf State in the run-up to the 2022 FIFA World Cup

time-read
10 mins  |
March 2021
MEMPHIS CON BRIO
Business Traveller Middle East

MEMPHIS CON BRIO

Music and history flood through the heart and soul of this quintessential American river town

time-read
6 mins  |
March 2021
Sofitel Mumbai BKC
Business Traveller Middle East

Sofitel Mumbai BKC

BACKGROUND Sofitel Mumbai BKC is one of Accor’s most prominent addresses in Mumbai, Maharashtra. The French hospitality group’s other hotels in the city are operated under the Novotel and ibis brands.

time-read
3 mins  |
March 2021
Taking Scotland in Stride
Business Traveller Middle East

Taking Scotland in Stride

A walk through the Highlands and Borders is the best way to touch this country’s history and nature

time-read
5 mins  |
March 2021