AUTHOR Astrid Lexen
PUBLISHED 25. FEB 2025
The City Center Lüdenscheid
The City Center Lüdenscheid (CCL) was built between 1974 and 1977 as an inner-city shopping center, originally planned by Kaufhof AG. With a total area of 30,000 m² and 18,700 m² of commercial space, it offered space for 70 shops, including both owner-operated shops and branches. Kaufhof AG acted as anchor tenant on 7,700 m².
The City Center Lüdenscheid was designed according to the plans of the architect Horst W. Reckewell from Recklinghausen. The Cologne construction company Helmut Fingerle was responsible for the implementation of the building. The architecture of the CCL followed the style of brutalism, characterized by exposed concrete, simple geometric shapes and functional design.
However, this also led to dark and winding shopping streets. After a partial opening in MARch 1977, the official ceremony took place in September of the same year. Despite several extensions and renovations, including a glass facade (1985) and new entrances, the CCL struggled with rental problems from the start, especially on the first floor. To bridge vacancies, the space was used for exhibitions and events. The center experienced several changes of ownership. In 1990, Lüdenscheid businessman Reinhold Zimmermann bought the building at auction for 30.2 million DM, although previous investments had amounted to 120 million DM. In 1991, a comprehensive renovation followed, which resulted in an 18-month closure and the termination of all 51 rental agreements. Security problems accompanied the CCL from the start and led to the deployment of in-house security with up to 25 employees.
In order to provide a meeting point for young people and improve the security situation, a municipal youth center opened in the center in 1979. The CCL was not only a shopping center, but also a venue for cultural events. In 1979 it served as a filming location for two scenes of the ZDF film “Bored Teenagers”. Since 1989, the “Long Thursday” has attracted visitors with performances by well-known artists. As an important part of Lüdenscheid’s city center, the history of the CCL reflects the change of shopping centers in urban areas. Despite its importance, the center was characterized by economic challenges that even led to a legal dispute with the city over property tax payments.