Hafencity Zeitung - "An Elegant Retreat" in the Überseequartier Süd

The new residential tower, The Lyte, sits above the Breuninger fashion flagship store, featuring 86 condominiums and a rooftop terrace 60 meters above the ground.

"The design by the architectural team led by Josef Nähring immediately aligned with our vision of creating a balancing, yet elegant retreat," says Lothar Schubert, Managing Partner of DC Developments. "HafenCity is alive with metropolitan flair, but stepping into the building, one feels an immediate calm and understated luxury. Each apartment is like a jewelry box, filled with stylish elements." With 86 condominiums across a total living area of approximately 7,800 square meters, The Lyte is the smallest building plot within the Westfield Hamburg-Überseequartier. The strikingly white building was designed by Franz-Josef Nähring and his team from KBNK Architekten in Hamburg, with completion scheduled for the third quarter of 2024. The total investment for the project is around €100 million.

The lower three floors are designated for retail and commercial space, while 86 condos, including seven barrier-free units, will occupy the twelve residential floors above. Each apartment, from one-room units to spacious penthouses, includes private, secluded loggias—an ideal complement to the communal rooftop terrace. This offers residents the choice of enjoying their evening drinks either socially or in a private setting under the Hamburg sky.

For Björn Dahler, Managing Partner at DC Developments, a personal highlight of The Lyte is the large communal rooftop terrace on the 15th floor, 60 meters up. Rising above the five-meter-high retail spaces spread over 14,000 square meters occupied by the lifestyle and fashion company Breuninger, The Lyte towers elegantly into the skyline. “We believe a shared open-air space serves as an essential gathering spot, fostering a sense of community and well-being among residents,” Dahler says. The Lyte's rooftop lounge offers breathtaking views over the city, harbor, and Elbphilharmonie. The terrace’s green edge planting will add a Mediterranean atmosphere, and the private terrace, available to Lyte residents, also includes an outdoor kitchen.

The building’s exterior is defined by a striking appearance, thanks in part to several hundred sliding elements that act as customizable light and sunshades. This innovative take on traditional shutters, dubbed Brise Soleil, features an aluminum facade. "The Lyte stands out in HafenCity's cityscape not only for its delicate form but also for its captivating play of light. Appearing brilliant white during the day, it takes on a warm golden glow in the evening sun. The slanted facades facing northwest and southeast lend the structure a unique dynamic," explains KBNK Architect Franz-Josef Nähring.

With 27 floor plan types, The Lyte aims to accommodate diverse lifestyles, creating a modern, individual home for future residents. This has been made possible through the pre-construction planning of all interior layouts. “Starting with a good collaboration early in the project allowed us to design the interior of The Lyte down to the centimeter. The result is floor plans and interior layouts that guarantee efficient, space-saving use,” says Randi Mara Schumacher, Managing Director of Pasch Design.

Residents have the option to add one of two design lines, already on display in the DC Developments showroom on Tokiostraße in HafenCity. The "Salt" line offers urban coolness, while "Sand" provides warm-toned elegance.

MEDIUM:
Hafencity Zeitung - August 2024

LOCATION:
Hamburg

LINK:
www.hafencityzeitung.com/eleganter-ort-des-rueckzugs

AUTHOR:
Gerda Brandt

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