Towering structure initially built for water storage
In the heart of Dortmund, a unique piece of history stands tall - the water tower at Heiligenweg 60, a landmark that has witnessed the city's growth and transformation over the decades. Built opposite the South Station in 1926, this eight-story apartment building with shops on the ground floor was a modern architectural marvel, often referred to as the "High-rise at the South Station" by the city's residents.
The water tower, probably the tallest inhabited building in Westphalia in the 1920s, was designed to provide not only water storage but also social spaces for railway workers. Men seeking casual jobs would gather in front of the tower, known as the "worker's queue". The upper floors housed changing rooms, washing and common rooms, baths, and overnight accommodations for these workers. Retail spaces in the tower were available for rent by January 1926.
Over the years, the water tower has served various purposes. In the late 1970s, it was renovated and shops were set up on the ground floor. The upper rooms were occupied by the employment office, the railway, and the Federal Office for Refugees. However, by the 1980s, the tower was sold to a private individual from Münster and left unoccupied.
In 1999, Ralf Schulte-Ladbeck, a renowned architect from Dortmund, purchased the uninhabitable water tower. He converted it into his architectural office. The annex of the water tower has been restored to its condition before World War II and has been extended by two floors.
Now, plans are afoot to transform the water tower into a memorial and educational center, commemorating the deportation of over 2,800 Jewish citizens since 1991. A bronze plaque on the north side of the tower serves as a reminder of this dark chapter in Dortmund's history. The installation of an elevator during the current renovation will make the tower accessible to all visitors.
The 100th anniversary of the former water tower at the South Station could be an opportunity to reignite the debate about the proposed memorial and educational center. If established, the center would be an additional highlight for Dortmund's culture of remembrance. A project outline for the memorial and educational center has been available since 2022, but the identity of the private individual who bought the water tower on Heiligenwegstraße in 1999 remains undisclosed.
Quotes from the time of the water tower's construction reflect its modern and friendly character. "The first skyscraper presents itself in a very friendly guise," one observer noted. Another described it as "Probably the tallest inhabited building in Westphalia." After completion, the building, especially when viewed from the air by an airplane, was expected to give the entire cityscape a particularly modern note.
As the water tower undergoes its latest transformation, it continues to stand as a testament to Dortmund's past, present, and future.
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