Construction permit requests face unexpected obstacle: basement declared historical site
In the picturesque Old Town of Großbottwar, located in the Ludwigsburg District, a historical discovery has altered the course of a planned residential development. The discovery of an arched cellar, first mentioned in 1522, has necessitated preservation measures that have significantly impacted the original building plans.
Wolfgang Roth, a Stuttgart-based architect, had initially planned to develop and build on a plot at Lange Gasse 32. However, his plans for a multi-family house with a basement had to be scrapped due to the protected status of the cellar. The property has housed a stately corn house with a cellar since at least 1522, which could have been built as early as the 13th century.
The Monument Office swiftly protected the cellar after Roth's building application was submitted in 2019, declaring it a protected monument within three or four days. This discovery has led to a redesign of the construction plans to accommodate the preservation and integration of the cellar.
The future building will consist of a long, drawn-out building body with three apartments, a narrower house with two units, and a third building complex with storage rooms. To minimise weight, wood will be used as a building material. Foundations will be set on the left and right of the cellar, over which a kind of bridge made of reinforced concrete will be spanned.
A 15-meter long, solid wooden table could be placed in the middle of the refurbished cellar, transforming it into a unique feature of the new development. The area in the old town center where the arched cellar is located is designated as a plot where protected building substance is suspected, adding another layer of historical significance to the site.
Wolfgang Roth has accepted the unique situation of the protected arched cellar as a challenge. The arched cellar cannot be demolished and cannot be structurally loaded. Instead, a new solution for the construction includes a surface above the cellar serving as an inner courtyard. The city of Großbottwar did not express concern about preserving the arched cellar, recognising the importance of maintaining its historical integrity.
The refurbished cellar will be used for storing valuable wines, potentially creating a kind of vault for fine drops. The groundbreaking is planned for the turn of the year, with the houses with apartments expected to be completed by September 2026. Despite the challenges, the project promises to be a fascinating blend of modern development and historical preservation.
Investing in the refurbishment of the historical arched cellar, first mentioned in 1522, will be a key part of the new real-estate development in Großbottwar's Old Town. This cellar, now protected, will serve as a unique wine vault, enhancing the project's appeal in the realm of finance and investing.
The finance and real-estate sectors will collaborate to create a modern development that sympathetically preserves the integrity of the ancient arched cellar, blending history with contemporary architecture.
