Under the scheme, planners want to develop the banks along the northern and southern sides of the old harbour basin, a total area of 37.4 hectares, as part of a much bigger redevelopment programme. Planning calls for a combination of high quality office and service locations with attractive facilities for sports and leisure. Generous open spaces and promenades, a yacht harbour and a range of gastronomic, cultural and sports facilities will stamp the future character of the old docklands.

The winning design for the conversion came from Swiss architects Vogt.

Ralf Nagel said the Europahafen was being converted into 'a central maritime mile, the changes show that our vision of creating a working and living environment on the water is becoming a reality'.

The first pile driving took place on the northern side of the harbour basin. Once new quay walls are in place, earth between them and the existing old banks will be removed and the ground level lowered by 3m along a total length of 400 m. Officials said some 16,000m³ of earth would be moved and 450 tons of steel pilings driven. The result would be 8m wide promenades on both sides of the Europahafen basin.

BIG MD Dieter Russ said the redevelopment was 'a symbol for the successful transformation of old port areas into modern city districts with a maritime tradition'.