- Location: Jena-Winzerla, Columbuscenter
- Status: Revitalization & renovation planning
- Development: Occupancy (ground floor) approaching 50%
- New opening: including MD Alibabamarkt
Jena-Winzerla, 13.02.2026 – They say those declared dead live longer—a proverb that seems to be coming true in the Jena district of Winzerla. The Columbuscenter, which had increasingly struggled with vacancies and a loss of image in recent years, is sending clear signs of life. Current developments suggest that the low point may have been passed and that its vital role in providing local supplies for the residential area is being strengthened once again.
Trend reversal through new tenants
For a long time, the center at the heart of the large residential area presented a rather bleak picture. Shuttered storefronts and deserted retail spaces characterized the passage. However, movement is finally returning to the property. According to reports, occupancy on the ground floor of the shopping passage is approaching the 50 percent mark again—a psychologically and economically significant milestone.
A concrete example of this fresh start is the opening of the “MD Alibabamarkt”. Such new arrivals are essential for bringing foot traffic back to the center. A functional tenant mix that goes beyond simple necessity shopping is considered the key to maintaining such neighborhood centers. When customers have a reason to enter the building again, the remaining existing tenants also benefit.
Importance for the Winzerla district
This is good news for the residents of Winzerla. In large residential areas often characterized by prefabricated buildings and high population density, local supply within walking distance is a crucial factor for the quality of life. The Columbuscenter was originally conceived as the pulsing heart of the neighborhood. If it fails to function, elderly residents in particular are forced to travel longer distances for everyday errands.
From an urban planning perspective, the revitalization of properties like the Columbuscenter is therefore a high priority. They function not only as shopping locations but also as social meeting points that enable encounters within the neighborhood. The looming decay of such large-scale properties often damages the image of the entire surrounding quarter, which is why the current renovation plans are of significance far beyond mere architecture.
Renovation plan and open questions
Despite the positive signals regarding leasing, challenges remain. The term “renovation plan” suggests that work must be done on the building structure and technical equipment of the aging facility. Often, heating, ventilation, or the room layouts of shopping centers from previous decades no longer meet modern standards or the requirements of today’s retailers.
Open questions also remain: How sustainable is the new interest from tenants? What is the long-term concept of the owners to compete against the overwhelming competition of online retail and the large shopping centers in the city center? The coming months will show whether the current new openings are the starting signal for a permanent renaissance of the Columbuscenter or just a brief flare-up.
Outlook
For now, however, the direction is right. It is to be hoped for Winzerla that the renovation plans will be implemented swiftly and that the center once again becomes what it was meant to be: a lively focal point for the people of the district.
We will continue to monitor the development and report as soon as further details regarding the reconstruction plans become available.