StadtLab goes Ratszeise - branch office coming

Good ideas for the "Ratszeise" can be tried out and implemented in Jena's "good room" from spring. The "StadtLab Jena" project of the business development agency (JenaWirtschaft) is opening a second location in the Ratszeise building on the market square. The landlord Kommunale Immobilien Jena (KIJ) handed over the keys today. This expansion is supported and co-financed by the Department of Urban Development and Environment. StadtLab Jena is a project funded by the Federal Ministry of Construction and aims to develop creative concepts for the city center. Various renovation works are currently underway; the second location is due to open in March. Ideas can then be tested at both locations - at Markt and Löbderstrasse 6.

"We invite companies, private individuals, people with a small business or associations to join us," said Markus Henkenmeier, authorized signatory of the business development department and idea generator of the StadtLab project. "Just like in Löbderstraße 6, we want to offer a space at the market where new ideas and concepts for the city center can be tested and where a place of encounter and togetherness can be created." For example, temporary pop-up spaces, exhibitions, club workshops, urban crafts and much more are possible.

"We are delighted that we can enable a space that is close to the hearts of many Jena residents to be used in a way that is equally accessible to everyone and where creative ideas can be tested and shaped," says Mayor Christian Gerlitz. He is hoping for a new, imaginative place that invites people into the city center again and again through a variety of uses.

KIJ site manager Beate Wachenbrunner, who handed over the key to the StadtLab team as the landlord, hopes for a similar effect: "With its location directly on the market, the Ratszeise has great potential to enrich Jena's city center with varied concepts, and we are delighted that life will move back in here in 2025."

Work is currently underway in and on the building. StadtLab project manager Grit Sachse has the planning under control. "In close coordination with the Jena Monument Office, the Ratszeise is being given a new 'look' inside - it is being painted, water and electrical connections are being installed and we are working on ways to make the building usable for a wide variety of concepts without damaging the listed façade or components worthy of preservation."

The construction work should be completed by the end of February; the StadtLab team is then looking forward to creative ideas from March. Further information can be found on the website stadtlab-jena.de

Schlüsselübergabe StadtLabJena

The Ratszeise will become StadtLab Jena's second location and will be open to creative minds for new uses from spring. CityLab project manager Grit Sachse, JenaWirtschaft authorized signatory Markus Henkenmeier, Mayor Christian Gerlitz and KIJ site manager Beate Wachenbrunner (from left to right at the handover of the keys) are delighted about this.