Jena-Nord, 29.04.2026. The housing cooperative “Carl Zeiss” eG is investing heavily in the Jena-Nord residential location. By the end of 2030, a total of 60 modern apartments are to be brought onto the market through a mix of renovation, floor additions, and new construction in Leipziger Straße and Scharnhorststraße.
- Project: Renovation, timber-frame floor additions, and partial new construction
- Developer: WG “Carl Zeiss” eG
- Locations: Scharnhorststraße 5 and 7 as well as Leipziger Straße 42 to 48
- Start of construction: Mid-2027
- Planned completion: End of 2030
- Living space: 60 apartments in total (29 of which are new)
Dismantling for new living space
The cooperative’s concept involves profound changes to the existing building structure. The existing buildings at Scharnhorststraße 5 and 7 as well as Leipziger Straße 46 and 48 will be preserved, but will undergo extensive renovation and be expanded with additional floors using timber construction. A different fate awaits the houses at Leipziger Straße 42 and 44: these buildings will be completely dismantled. Four new multi-family houses are then to be built on the space gained.
Focus on accessibility and energy efficiency
The new construction and renovations primarily aim for a significant qualitative upgrade of the housing offer. The planning focuses on energetic improvements to meet current climate standards. In addition, barrier-free design options are to be realized and elevators integrated into the buildings. The construction project will be accompanied by the creation of new parking facilities for the tenants.
Gradual relocation of tenants necessary
Due to the significant construction volume and the interventions in the building fabric, the project cannot be realized while the buildings are occupied. A gradual vacation of the affected apartments is mandatory for the implementation. According to its own statements, the housing cooperative has already informed the current tenants about the upcoming project and the necessary moves during an information event.
Background: Urban development in Jena
Due to the topographical valley location of the city of Jena, developable building land is strictly limited and extremely valuable. Housing companies and cooperatives have therefore been increasingly relying on the concept of densification and so-called vertical extension for years. By adding further floors to existing buildings, new living space can be created in central locations such as Jena-Nord without having to seal additional green or open spaces on the outskirts of the city. Timber construction in particular has established itself for such additions, as the material is relatively light and places less strain on the structural integrity of existing buildings from past decades than conventional concrete or brick construction.
Source:
Wohnungsgenossenschaft plant Bauprojekt in Nord
Transparency note: This article was created automatically, editorially reviewed, and expanded with AI support.