Klarenthal Estate – an open urban and natural space

Organizer: KlarA stadt.land.gut e.V.
Institution and contact details

KlarA stadt.land.gut e.V.
c/o Xenia Diehl, Viola Laske
Westendstraße 21
65195 Wiesbaden
vereinklara-stadtlandgutde

As part of the WDC, we are planning a "call for ideas and doers." The aim is to test temporary uses for part of the Klarenthal estate during the WDC. The north wing of the complex, with its two historic barns, and the estate's green open space are earmarked for this purpose. This will be the first time in decades that the estate has been opened to the public!

Background: The historic Klarenthal estate, located just outside the state capital of Wiesbaden, has been largely vacant for several years. It is to be revitalized through civic engagement and transformed into a lively, open space between the dense city and the Taunus hills.

Creating living spaces for the future on the estate – that is what we are planning as a cooperative!* Until then, parts of the beautiful buildings and open spaces can be used for other purposes. As a monument to the future, the estate can accommodate new, inclusive forms of living in the long term and offer work opportunities, education, socio-cultural activities, and gastronomy in a spirit of solidarity. The result will be a designed, public place created by citizens for citizens – a "third place."

The possible spectrum ranges from manufacturing, repair, and services related to health, sports, plants, sustainability, nature conservation, new building materials, gastronomy, bicycles, food, and much more. Education, art, and (neighborhood) culture are also welcome. (One initial concrete idea, for example, is a cookbook library modeled after the one in Seoul.)

Applicants submit their ideas using a form/poster with text and illustrations. It is important to note that the courtyard is generally only accessible to cars for deliveries and that the uses must not cause any permanent noise pollution for the neighborhood.

A jury of experts will select the best ideas, which will be presented to the public (stage 1, see dates below). In the second stage, temporary uses will be implemented on the farmstead in August/September 2026, if possible.

All buildings at this iconic location are listed as historical monuments. Building on its history and developing a monument to the future that embodies community spirit is a wonderful design task with many social, economic, ecological, and architectural facets.

*Cooperatives are democratic by nature and designed for direct participation: everyone has a voice, can and should get involved, and, if possible, take responsibility for their own living environment.
The temporary uses that will be tested during the WDC are based on this principle and should be understood as a supportive part of the whole. All idea generators and doers help to prepare a collaborative process and concrete usage and (construction) plans for the farmstead.

**Apart from our "KlarAdieschen" in spring 2021 – the nice food truck.

PS. We are a non-profit association that emerged from the Gemeinschaftlich Wohnen eG cooperative in Wiesbaden. The estate belongs to the city of Wiesbaden. The concept award for the property is currently being prepared by the city planning office.

• Stage 1

May 1, 2026: Citywide call for
ideas June 30: Application deadline for stakeholders/companies/associations/initiatives/schools, etc.
Early July: Selection (jury), followed by presentation of ideas, preferably at the Hofgut (see Stage 2)

• Stage

(depending on the accessibility of the Hofgut or the status of the award procedure, approval of the real estate office (possibly limited to open space) required)
August/September 2026: "Prototyping" = implementation of temporary uses on the Hofgut – depending on the project, with options for continuation

Klarenthal Estate in Old Klarenthal

Temporary uses / Monument of the future