BMW Welt, the legendary building in Munich, marks its twenty-fifth anniversary since the design itself first became part of the planning process. The architectural design, the 2001 project which was adopted by Coop Himmelb(l)au architectural firm, has expanded way beyond the small anticipations that were set when the project was started. What started out as an 850,000-visitor-per-annum attraction is now receiving over 2.2 million visitors annually, a remarkable growth that confirms the architectural boldness and automotive flair of the building.
The facility houses the customer delivery center of the BMW Group, where every year about 280,000 new vehicles are delivered to their owners. These models cut across the BMW, BMW M, Mini, BMW Motorrad, and even the luxurious Rolls-Royce brand, therefore, the webpage is a complete gallery of the variety of brands of the group. Besides the delivery events, the visitors have an opportunity to walk through the exhibition halls where they can see the most recent models, get to know the history of the brand, and even participate in guided tours that could be arranged specifically to the automotive and architecture lovers.
BMW Welt started being built in 2003 and finished in 2007, a four-year project that also incorporated some of the engineering exploits that are not commonly observed in a civic construction. The cantilever bridge between the showroom and the nearby BMW Museum is the 269- meter long cantilever, making the smooth line of it a new landmark of the skyline of Munich. and the roof, a complete canopy of more than 14,000 square meters, can readily cover the San Marco Square in Venice, the analogy used to emphasize the vastness and boldness of the design.
Outside the showroom and museum there are over 400 events annually, which include product launching and corporate events, as well as, cultural events and community events. This flexibility has solidified BMW Welt as a brand experience centre, as well as a cultural centre to the city.
The very number of visitors is a great story. The site now has over 2.2 million guests per year as compared to the initial forecast of 850,000 guests per year. This influx is indicative of the rising popularity of the BMW Group products and services as well as the rise in popularity of experiential travel, in which vacationers are yearning to experience firsthand the brands that they are fond of. The number of customers who visit the premises to take delivery of their new cars personally also increases the importance of the site as a physical interface between the factory floor and the customer.
With almost 25 years to its opening, the story behind BMW Welt’s start seems quite simple: a simple concept, implemented with the bravery of an architect, has now become a pillar of the cultural and business life of Munich. The fact that the building has been able to attract millions, produce high-end cars, and host hundreds of events annually is one sign of a model of modern design that is both functional and iconic.
BMW Welt Munich – Photo Gallery
