Gare and Hollerich, home to nearly 20,000 of Luxembourg City’s 140,000 residents, are in rapid flux, shaped by redevelopment, rising cultural ambitions, and persistent security pressures.
“The Gare district is the most diverse and lively part of the city, both in positive and negative ways,” explains Maurice Bauer, First Alderman of Luxembourg City. “It represents the first point of contact for newcomers with the capital, and even with the country. It’s also probably the biggest melting pot in all of Luxembourg, as many newcomers first settle here before moving to other districts.”
Despite its dynamism, the district does not always enjoy a positive reputation, similar to many neighborhoods located around major railway stations. One of the main reasons for this is the sense of insecurity reported by residents. A 2024 survey conducted by the City of Luxembourg revealed that nearly 70% of residents felt “highly unsafe” in the area. “The city works closely with social services and the police to ensure greater safety and tranquility in these districts, addressing residents’ concerns while maintaining a vibrant urban life,” adds Bauer.
The district also suffered from lengthy construction works of the tramway arrival in 2020. It led to a noticeable drop in pedestrian traffic and forced the closure of several local businesses. However, in recent years, the area has experienced a visible revival. Once visited only out of necessity, it has now become a pleasant place to stroll along Avenue de la Liberté, admiring the beautiful facades lining the avenue, or to enjoy a meal at Place de Paris, the lively square at the heart of the district.
Bringing life and jobs back
Place de Paris has been fully renovated: terraces expanded, fountains installed. In summer, it offers a welcoming outdoor atmosphere, and in winter, it becomes festive with the traditional Christmas market featuring wooden chalets. A few steps away, Rue de Strasbourg, once considered unsafe, has also been completely redesigned. Its upper section has been pedestrianised, allowing popular restaurants to open terraces on the street. Another major project is the Rousegaertchen (rose garden), a fully renovated space that will be replanted in spring 2026, including 7,000 boxwoods and 3,000 rose bushes. “The district now counts over 220 entities, 129 services, and 35 agencies, more than 500 to 600 businesses in total, plus pop-up stores that allow new entrepreneurs to test the market,” emphasises Bauer.
Cultural events such as the “Gare Grooves”, concerts held every Thursday on the square in front of the station, add to its attractiveness. At the same time, new buildings have brought employment back to the district. The arrival of corporate headquarters such as Post and Société Générale has strengthened the local economy. The Cité de la Sécurité Sociale, whose first phase opened in June 2023, continues this development.
The second phase will replace the former Publications Office of the European Union with a twin building, bringing all major social security entities (AEC, CMSS, CNS, CCSS, and AAA) together on a single site. “This will contribute to the district’s conviviality,” notes Bauer. The recent opening of the Marriott Hotel, formerly Hôtel Alfa, in May further enhances the neighborhood’s appeal. Soon, Place de la Gare itself will be redesigned, once the new CFL headquarters is completed. “We plan to organise citizen participation to understand residents’ wishes and expectations regarding its layout,” Bauer explains.
Reinventing an industrial past
A few hundred metres away, Hollerich is undergoing equally profound changes. The days of industrial activity, from the Buchholz Brewery, Kesselfabrik (Paul Wurth) or Heintz van Landewyck tobacco factory, are long gone. Once a nightlife hotspot, the district is still known for concerts at Den Atelier. The Schluechthaus, located on the site of the former municipal slaughterhouses, is currently being renovated.
“We want to transform it into a truly intergenerational and inclusive cultural centre. The site currently hosts temporary cultural activities, including a skate park, but our goal is to develop sustainable cultural, social, and sports programming while preserving the existing architectural heritage,” says Bauer adding that the project includes a glass dome covering the entire site. A Design Hub has also been established in the previously festive courtyard at 42–44 Rue de Hollerich, offering a place for design professionals to gather.
“We want to transform it into a truly intergenerational and inclusive cultural centre”
As a residential district, Hollerich is growing. Nei Hollerich, aims to transform 21 hectares of former industrial wasteland into a mixed-use area spanning 390,000 m², including 2,200 housing units for 4,500 residents and 5,000 jobs. A public park, the Heinz von Landewyck Park, and a mobility hub, will be located on the site of the former CNS headquarters. “It is currently a fully industrial site that will be transformed into a mixed residential neighborhood with shops, offices, and services, a true model of urban development combining innovation, sustainability, and quality of life,” explains Bauer.
A second development, Porte de Hollerich, is a future eco-district planned to house 6,000 residents, along with commercial and artisanal spaces. The project will also include traffic reorganisation and the extension of the tramway to P+R Bouillon. Together, these initiatives aim to create complete, mixed-use, sustainable neighborhoods capable of meeting residents’ needs while minimising the environmental footprint of urban development. Two projects aim to create fully equipped living spaces and to build mixed, responsible, and sustainable neighbourhoods capable of meeting residents’ needs while limiting the ecological footprint of urban development.
The alderman added in passing: “We are also redeveloping the playground in Merl Park, located at the border of Hollerich, Merl, and Bel-Air, to create the capital’s first inclusive playground. It will be accessible to children in wheelchairs thanks to adapted equipment, including dedicated swings and inclusive urban furniture. The project also includes a water feature and is expected to be completed in time for the 2026 summer season.”
The transformation of these neighbourhoods is far from complete, but the direction is clear: a more welcoming, safer, and more dynamic urban fabric shaped by residents, businesses, and the city working in tandem.
This article was published in the 8th edition of Forbes Luxembourg.
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