Gartenstadt Hüttenau

Gartenstadt Hüttenau is a housing cooperative (eingetragene Genossenschaft, eG) based in Hattingen, Germany, with roots going back to 1909. It was initiated by Karl Thiel, who called for the founding of a building cooperative and commissioned the architect Georg Metzendorf to plan and build a garden city as a counter-model to the tenement blocks of the industrial era. The resulting workers' settlement in the Welper district of Hattingen, inspired by the garden city ideas of British social reformers, comprised around 400 houses equipped with running water, private bathrooms, sewer connections, central heating, electricity and generous gardens. Today the cooperative describes itself as a medium-sized local company and a point of contact for apartments, condominium management and real estate-related services, whether for rent or ownership. Its website presents modern and affordable housing in green surroundings, with a focus on community, security and long-term tenancy. The cooperative owns roughly 1,200 apartments and offers services such as damage reporting, emergency services, senior support and social services. It is governed by a board (Vorstand) and a supervisory board (Aufsichtsrat), with a general assembly of members and a representatives' assembly. The cooperative positions itself as a reliable, member-oriented landlord in an era when large housing companies are increasingly selling off their stock. Its philosophy emphasizes responsibility for its locations, lively neighbourhoods and intergenerational living. The brand is closely tied to the historic garden city settlement in Hattingen-Welper, which is part of the Route der Industriekultur (Industrial Heritage Trail) in the Ruhr region.

The Gartenstadt Hüttenau housing estate in Hattingen-Welper dates back to 1909 and was inspired by the garden city ideas of British social reformers. Its initiator was Karl Thiel, who argued that the spatial separation of families from the soil ran counter to natural joy, and that the principle of the free human being applied to all, rich and poor alike. In 1909 Thiel called for the founding of a building cooperative and commissioned the architect Georg Metzendorf, who had been chief architect of the Margarete Krupp Foundation in Essen since 1908, to plan and implement a garden city as a counter-movement to the concept of tenement blocks. Over several years, around 400 houses were built, each equipped with running water, a separate bathroom, connection to sewage canals, central heating, electricity and a larger garden. This was a significant improvement in living standards for workers of the industrial era. The settlement became a model of the garden city movement in the Ruhr region. The cooperative, Gartenstadt Hüttenau eG, continues to operate today and owns approximately 1,200 apartments. It describes itself as a medium-sized local company providing apartments, condominium management and real estate-related services. Its philosophy emphasizes responsibility for its locations, lively neighbourhoods and intergenerational living. The cooperative is governed by a board and a supervisory board, with member participation through a representatives' assembly. It remains a member-oriented landlord, offering secure and long-term tenancies in green surroundings.

• 1909

  Karl Thiel calls for the founding of a building cooperative and commissions architect Georg Metzendorf to plan a garden city.

• 1909

  Construction of the Gartenstadt Hüttenau workers' settlement begins in Hattingen-Welper.

• Around 400 houses are completed over several years, equipped with modern amenities.

• The cooperative Gartenstadt Hüttenau eG today owns approximately 1,200 apartments.

Cooperative, member-oriented, affordable and community-focused housing in green surroundings.

• Rental apartments

  Modern and affordable housing in green surroundings.

• Condominium management

  Management of owner-occupied apartments.

• Real estate services

  Services around the property, including damage reporting and emergency services.

• Senior support and social services

  Support for elderly residents.

1. 1Gartenstadt Hüttenau | Startseitegartenstadt.de
2. 2Gartenstadt Hüttenau | Über unsgartenstadt.de
3. 3Gartenstadt Hüttenauwikidata.org
4. 4Gartenstadt Hüttenaude.wikipedia.org