The competition for the opera in Hamburg was won by the studio that designed the Vltava Philharmonic

Berlin/Hamburg - The architectural competition for the new opera building in Hamburg was won by the Danish studio Bjarke Ingels Group, which also designed the planned Vltava Philharmonic building in Prague. This was announced today at a press conference by the jury, city representatives, and the Kühne Foundation. Billionaire Klaus-Michael Kühne will provide 330 million euros (almost eight billion CZK) for the construction of the opera house.

"The new opera is an opportunity to further promote Hamburg as a cultural city in the world and to enhance its reputation as an international metropolis," said Hamburg's mayor, Peter Tschentscher. The new opera building will be located in the HafenCity port district right by the River Elbe. According to the mayor, the building could become a new landmark for the city.

The winning design by the Danish studio resembles the planned Vltava Philharmonic building in Prague in many ways. It is a glass building with a walkable roof, surrounded by a park. "In fact, a spiral is created from the roof gardens, which will be planted with local trees, shrubs, and grasses," stated the jury.

In the next two years, the construction plans are to be finalized, after which the Kühne Foundation will make a final decision on the construction, reported the DPA agency. Construction could start in 2030, with the building expected to be completed within four years. Approximately one kilometer west of the planned opera site stands the Elbe Philharmonic. This distinctive concert hall, whose roof resembles the stormy surface of the North Sea, opened in 2017. The planned construction period was extended by seven years, and costs also increased multiple times.

Billionaire Kühne reached an agreement with Hamburg on the opera's construction this February. The city will contribute 147.5 million euros (3.6 billion CZK), which should mainly cover local-specific modifications, such as flood protection. According to the city, all other costs will be borne by the Kühne Foundation.

The planned construction of the Prague Vltava Philharmonic near the Vltavská metro station, along with related adjustments to the surroundings, is estimated to cost Prague 16.53 billion crowns excluding VAT, according to estimates from March this year. Its construction is scheduled to start in 2027 and finish five years later.