For at least five years now, Karlsruhe has been living to the rhythm of the building sites that have invaded the city centre. The reason: the construction of new underground tracks for the tramway. The project is nearing completion, however, with the new lines scheduled for December 2021. But it's not just the tram works that are currently disturbing the peace and quiet of Karlsruhe's residents. Work in the city centre is also in full swing, notably on the renovation of the Palais des Congrès.
The Karslruhe Stadthalle - the Germany's largest city-centre conference complex with a capacity of 4,000 people - is undergoing a major metamorphosis. By 2022, 80 million euros y will be invested in equipping the Stadthalle with new technologies to enable it to host hybrid events, as well as new lighting and a more contemporary design for the conference and meeting rooms.
While Karlsruhe may still have a little trouble convincing leisure travellers to explore the city, it does have a lot to offer. the city has nothing left to prove when it comes to business tourism. Fairs, exhibitions and congresses in the city are already attracting 800,000 visitors a yearThis includes some 200,000 for the city centre conference business alone. If we take into account the entire region around Karlsruhe, this means 3.5 million participants who attended 23,400 events in 2018.
Ka Drei, Karlsruhe's brand new business district
And, as Karlsruhe expects MICE activity to pick up again by 2022of numerous hotel development projects are currently being built, particularly around Central Station. Behind the station is the Karlsruhe's brand new business district, the Ka Drei. It includes an office tower, a hotel, a shopping mall and a new inter-regional bus station. The hotel will be of the Intercitya four-star Deutsche Hospitality Group. Scheduled to open in the second quarter of 2023, it will have 194 rooms, a restaurant, a bar, as well as a 233 m² event space and four conference rooms.
Outside the station area, there will also be a Motel One by the end of the year, with a capacity of 250 rooms, as well as a Niu hotel. Located in the Oststadt cultural district, the hotel will have 290 rooms, including 120 flats. Construction is due to start this year.
