OSMAB and ALCARO celebrate progress at Log Plaza Colonia 3 and unveil artwork with historical depth
OSMAB Holding AG and ALCARO Invest GmbH celebrated the current construction progress of their logistics project Log Plaza Colonia 3 in Cologne-Porz with a large-scale construction site party. More than 300 invited guests, including craftsmen, project participants, partners, tenants as well as representatives from politics and urban society, came together under the motto “OSMAB BaustellenBeat – 30,000 square meters in the rhythm of the future” on the site in Rudolf-Diesel-Straße.
The focus of the evening was deliberately not on a classic milestone such as the topping-out ceremony or completion. Rather, the project partners used the occasion to acknowledge the development to date, to provide insights into the future of the site and to bring the people behind the project together.
“Great projects are not only created from plans and figures, but above all from the interaction of many participants. This celebration is a thank you to everyone who is making this place a reality step by step,” said Anton Mertens, CEO of OSMAB Holding AG, in his opening speech.
In addition to insights into the property under construction, the program offered a diverse framework concept with catering, musical contributions and live acts, including the Blitz cycling club from Rösrath-Hoffnungsthal and the Cologne band Paveier. Speeches by project partners such as ALCARO, the general contractor BREMER and the future tenant DACHSER underscored the close cooperation between all those involved.
Artwork sets an example for remembrance and responsibility
A special highlight of the evening was the unveiling of the large-format mural “Memory Obliges” by internationally renowned artist Falk Lehmann, known as AKUT. The site-specific work is part of the Log Plaza concept, which specifically integrates art into the architecture, and gives the site an additional social dimension.
The mural translates historical memory into a contemporary visual language and sees itself as an active contribution to the culture of remembrance. At the center is a hybrid face composed of fragmented portraits that unites different perspectives. Reference points such as Anne Frank as a symbol of persecution and Margot Friedländer as the voice of today’s memory mark historical and contemporary levels. Contemporary society positions itself in between: as the result of historical processes and at the same time as a bearer of responsibility.
The work is particularly important due to its specific location: In 1933, an early Nazi protective custody camp “Am Hochkreuz” was located on the site, where people from the region were held and mistreated. The mural deliberately picks up on this context and makes it an integral part of its message. It is a reminder that history is not abstract, but always has a local origin and direct relevance to the present.
This attitude is also visible in form: the transition from black and white to color is symbolic of the path from the documented past to an actively lived present. Fragmented and partly tapering contours create a visual dynamic that makes it clear that memory is not a static state, but an ongoing process with consequences.
“We see our properties not only as economic spaces, but also as places with a social impact. This work of art makes history visible and reminds us that responsibility begins in the here and now,” says Mertens.
The combination of building culture and identity is also a central claim for ALCARO: “With Log Plaza Colonia 3, we are not only creating modern logistics spaces, but also an environment with character. For us, art in architecture is an important building block in sustainably upgrading locations and making them tangible,” adds Markus Kroner, Managing Director of ALCARO Invest GmbH.
Logistics location with future prospects
A modern logistics building with a total of around 33,000 square meters of usable space, spread over four rental units, is being built on the approximately 59,200 square meter site. Around 29,900 square meters are hall space, supplemented by office and social areas. The main tenant has already been determined with the international logistics service provider DACHSER.
Completion is scheduled for the third quarter of 2026. After completion, the property is to be awarded the gold seal of the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB). The basis for this is excellent building insulation, energy-efficient lighting and air conditioning systems and a powerful photovoltaic system that can cover a large part of the energy demand on site. With a planned output of around 3.66 MWp, it could become the largest rooftop system in Cologne in the future. In addition, numerous charging points for e-cars and e-bikes are planned.
Even before completion, the construction site party and the art installation make it clear what OSMAB and ALCARO are pursuing with Log Plaza Colonia 3: the combination of economic use, architectural quality and social responsibility.
