After a long struggle over whether and how the Gasteig should be renovated, things are now slowly getting serious. As a first step, the Gasteig institutions such as the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra, the Munich City Library and the Munich Adult Education Center have moved. To the south of the city, in the newly built Gasteig HP8. The opening will be celebrated there next weekend.

A few weeks ago, while it was still summer, we were invited to visit the construction site of the new HP8. Work was still going on everywhere and the opening seemed a long way off. But now, at the beginning of October, the first visitors are actually being invited to the new quarter on the large city stream as planned, the first concerts are being played in the new Isarphilharmonie and the city library is opening its bookcases. Incidentally, the name HP8 has nothing to do with Harry Potter, but rather with the address of the new interim quarters. It's located at Hans-Preißinger-Straße 8, so we've got that sorted.

© Benedikt Feiten / Gasteig Munich GmbH

The spirit of the old transformer hall

The interim site was built around a listed red-brick transformer hall in Sendling, Hall E. This not only serves as the foyer of the interim Philharmonie, but also as the city library's quarters, exhibition and event space. Visitors will also find the information counter and ticket sales here. During the renovation, great importance was attached to retaining as many of the original features of the old transformer hall as possible. So even now, after the renovation, there is still a slightly industrial spirit in Hall E, which feels quite good in contrast to the slightly dusty Gasteig flair in Haidhausen.

© HGEsch / gmp architects

The Isarphilharmonie all in black

And it goes on well, because the sight of the Isarphilharmonie, which is completely black, certainly impressed us. There is space for 1,900 visitors around the movable stage and the acoustic design was created by the renowned Japanese sound designer Yasuhisa Toyota. The stage seems much closer here than in the Haidhausen Philharmonie, which is certainly also due to the fact that there are fewer seats available in the Isarphilharmonie. What probably impressed us the most (unfortunately we can't say anything about the acoustics yet) is the modern clarity of the space, which is also pleasantly unpretentious in contrast to the red opera plushiness of the old Philharmonie. Incidentally, the black paneling is made of wood, which gives the Philharmonie a good indoor climate.

© Andrea Plücke

In addition to the Isarphilharmonie, there are also three other new buildings for events: the "Kleiner Saal" for chamber music, a multifunctional event hall "Saal X" and course rooms for the Munich Adult Education Center. There will also be catering facilities on the site.

If you would like to take a look at the new HP8 for yourself, head over and pay a visit to the city library, for example. As an open library, it is open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., including Saturdays and Sundays. Or check out the program of the Isarphilharmonie, maybe there's something for you. Or simply cycle past for a coffee and discover a new quarter that could do this city a world of good.

This content has been machine translated.