Reverb by Hard Rock Opens in Hamburg: A Transformational Hotel in a Historic Nazi Bunker
July 18, 2024 in Travel & Destinations by Charlotte Sinclair
The most impressive hotel opening of the year has taken place in Hamburg, where the historic Flakturm IV, a former Nazi bunker, has been transformed into the Reverb by Hard Rock hotel.
Built in 1942, Flakturm IV was the safest place in the city during World War II, with 3.5-meter-thick walls protecting over 18,000 people from air raids across its six levels. The bunker, equipped with anti-aircraft guns on its roof, was the last place to surrender when the city fell to the British, only capitulating due to a lack of food supplies for the barricaded occupants.
Despite its intimidating appearance, demolishing the bunker was deemed too costly. In 1993, entrepreneur Thomas Matzen leased it for 99 years and invested €100 million into its transformation. Today, the bunker houses not only the Reverb by Hard Rock hotel but also a 2,000-seat concert hall, several cafes and restaurants, and an incredible garden with the city's highest viewing platform. The upper floors boast 7,400 trees and shrubs and 13,000 other plants.
Located in the vibrant and emerging St. Pauli district, reminiscent of Berlin before its gentrification, the hotel offers a unique blend of history, architecture, and modern design. Interestingly, Reverb by Hard Rock is not a luxury hotel. With room rates around €200, it provides an accessible stay for architecture and design enthusiasts who are sure to flock to this remarkable destination.
