Köln Arcaden
Cologne's first shopping mall on the right bank of the Rhine, built on the site of a former chemical plant in Kalk.
For decades, a chemical plant stood on this site — one relic from that era still remains visible on the grounds today.
Source: Wikipedia
At a Glance
- Type
- Shopping mall
- Location
- Kalk district, about 2 km east of Cologne's city center, bordering Deutz
- Retail space
- 27,000 m²
- Shops
- 117 across various sectors
- Opened
- 2 March 2005
- Parking
- Multi-storey car park with 1,800 spaces
- Highlight
- Listed water tower from 1904 on the premises
The site of the shopping mall was home to the Chemische Fabrik Kalk from 1858 to 1993; its 1904-built, 43.60-metre water tower still rises in the middle of today's 1,800-space car park and now houses a branch of the Integrationshaus.
History
From 1858 to 1993, the site was home to the Chemische Fabrik Kalk (CFK), a chemical factory. Only after the buildings were demolished and the contaminated ground remediated did construction receive approval in 2003. The project was developed by DIFA Deutsche Immobilien Fonds AG (today Union Investment), which invested €190 million. Its 2005 opening gave Cologne its first shopping mall on the right bank of the Rhine, followed by a thorough renovation and modernization in 2017.
The Water Tower
The water tower of the former chemical factory has survived on site, with the car park built in a ring around it. Dating from 1904 and protected as a historic monument, it rises 43.60 meters above the mall's roof. It now houses a branch office of the Integrationshaus in Cologne-Kalk.
Location and Surroundings
In 2001, Cologne's police headquarters was completed just to the west. Nearby, at Bürgerpark Kalk, visitors will also find the Odysseum and the Music Store. Right at the main entrance, tram lines 1 and 9 stop at Kalk Post station, while S-Bahn trains serve the Trimbornstraße stop about 250 meters away.
Public Art
A sculpture once hung at the main entrance, its name referencing David Bowie's song "Let's Dance." It featured an open stainless-steel circle and an orange-yellow sphere suspended on tension cables, creating a floating effect. It is attributed to the Dutch artist Fre Ilgen.
Timeline
- 1858Chemische Fabrik Kalk (CFK) begins operations on the site.
- 1904The heritage-listed CFK water tower is built.
- 1993Chemische Fabrik Kalk ceases operations.
- 2001The adjacent Cologne Police Headquarters is completed.
- 2003Building permit for the shopping center is granted.
- 2005Köln Arcaden opens on March 2 as Cologne's first shopping center east of the Rhine.
- 2017Comprehensive renovation and modernization of the shopping center.
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Sources & links
Auto-generated, last verified: 2026-09-13
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