The Phoenix-Galerie in Bottrop opens on Thursday, November 5, 2026, transforming the former Karstadt building into a complex.
For years, the empty department store stood as a vacancy in the heart of Bottrop’s downtown district. That standstill ends this week when project developer Oliver Helmke and Matthias Buschfeld cut the ceremonial ribbon at 9:30 AM to officially launch the first accessible sector of the Phoenix complex.
Opening Day Celebrations and Live Performances
Festivities begin immediately after the morning ribbon-cutting ceremony. The Ruth Miketta Quintett from Bottrop takes the stage at 10:00 AM, followed by a second performance from the group at 12:00 PM. At 12:30 PM, a food market opens to visitors, offering sweet and savory dishes, Bottroper beer, cocktails, and Pottreis.
Musical entertainment continues through the afternoon hours. The marching band “FOLLOW ME” makes its first procession through the area at 1:00 PM, with subsequent performances scheduled for 2:30 PM, 4:00 PM, and 5:00 PM. A DJ takes over at 5:30 PM to close out the inaugural day, which concludes when the venue closes its doors at 6:30 PM.
Throughout the day, moderator Marco Samland guides the program. Additional activities include face painting, a mobile play station at the Mensingbrunnen, and appearances by a mascot. Organizers have also confirmed that 300 vouchers will be distributed to visitors at the entrance while supplies last.
New Tenants and Step-by-Step Expansion Plans
The initial opening marks the first publicly accessible part of the Phoenix complex. Several tenants have been announced for the site, including a Rossmann drugstore, fashion retailer Sinn, the first Bottrop branch of Rituals, Optik Pawlorek, a location of Grünes und Schönes, a Lotto sales counter, and a new Finance Floor operated by Sparkasse Bottrop. Gastronomy concept “Herz und Hunger” and an interior design format from Ostermann are also slated for the location.
The complex is scheduled to grow in stages. Early 2027, several administrative departments of the Bottrop city administration are scheduled to move into the upper floors.
