UNIQLO and
Our Town
UNIQLO has come to town.
Here’s the view from Hamburg, where UNIQLO opened in fall 2020.
- Illustration by Adrian Hogan
- Photography by Rie Yamada
- Coordination & Text by Yumiko Urae
- Special thanks to Hamburg Marketing GmbH
Hamburg, the largest port city in Germany, where the sun shines off the water and the buildings catch the light at every turn. Blending the refined atmosphere of a progressive centre of media, culture and communications with the austerity of a historic trading hub, this city of canals is also the hometown of Jil Sander. And if that’s not charming enough, it has the genteel habit of welcoming foreign vessels in the language of their country, and is also one of Europe’s capitals of coffee. Starting from UNIQLO Hamburg, in the middle of it all, we took a trip around the city.
SWIPE
UNIQLO Hamburg
Opened in Hamburg’s old town on October 9th, 2020. Located in a former bank on Alter Wall, among the oldest buildings in the city, our Hamburg store has three stories aboveground and one below for 1,750 m2 of retail space, making it one of the largest UNIQLO locations in the world. The building’s facade and mosaic ceilings reference industries like fishing, sea transport and trade that remain vital to the city. The central atrium has a commanding spiral staircase.
- Alter Wall 2 20457 Hamburg
- OPEN 10:00-20:00 CLOSED Sunday
- https://www.uniqlo.com/de/de/content/hamburg.html
- Alter Wall 2 20457 Hamburg
- OPEN 10:00-20:00 CLOSED Sunday
- https://www.uniqlo.com/de/de/content/hamburg.html
Designer Jil Sander’s Favourite Spots
- Hamburg City Hall
- City Hall
Neighbouring UNIQLO, this Neo-Renaissance seat of government is 111 m wide, with a 112 m tower. The office where Jil works was designed by the same architect, Martin Haller. Enjoy refined traditional cuisine at Parlament, a restaurant on the lower level.
- Rathausmarkt 1 20095 Hamburg
- hamburg.de/rathaus/
- Elbphilharmonie
- Concert Hall
Known affectionately as Elphi, this concert hall completed in 2017 was designed by Herzog & de Meuron, who also worked on the UNIQLO Tokyo store. Former warehouses have been converted into restaurants and a hotel. Acoustics for the Grand Concert Hall were designed by the masterful Yasuhisa Toyota of Nagata Acoustics.
- Platz der Deutschen Einheit 4 20457 Hamburg
- elbphilharmonie.de
- Milch Feinkost at Portuguese Quarter
- Cafe
About 1.5 km west of the old town, the Portuguese Quarter was named for immigrants from Portugal who moved here in the 1970s to work in the harbour. The decades brought a trove of seafood and pasta restaurants, and today the area is frequented by office workers from the nearby publishers and ad agencies, as well as tourists.
Located on Ditmar-Koel-Straße, the neighbourhood's main street, Milch Feinkost has a retro tiled facade leftover from a 1950s milk store. Local coffee lovers find owner Nico’s daily roasts irresistibly delicious.
- Ditmar-Koel-Str. 22 20459 Hamburg
- Instagram @milchfeinkost
- Sautter+Lackmann Fachbuchhandlung
- Book Store
The premier specialty bookstore in Hamburg, boasting a stock of over 50,000 titles related to art, architecture, urban planning, graphic design, photography and film. Since it was opened by the Sautter couple in 1970, the selection has only grown. Moved to the current location in 1989. Offering choice local interest titles like art books by artist Horst Janssen and the latest books on urban planning.
- Admiralitätstraße 71/72 20459 Hamburg
- sautter-lackmann.de
- Hamburgische Staatsoper
- Opera House
The Hamburg State Opera House, established in 1678, has the longest history of any opera house in Germany. Home to the Hamburg State Opera, whose GMD is Kent Nagano, the Hamburg Philharmonic State Orchestra, and the Hamburg Ballet, led by famed choreographer John Neumeier, whose Ghost Light considers the coronavirus.
- Große Theaterstraße 25, 20354 Hamburg
- staatsoper-hamburg.de
©Kiran West
- Hotel Atlantic Kempinski Hamburg
- Hotel
Established in 1907, this grand hotel originally catered to passengers of the Hamburg America Line. With a long history of hosting international celebrities, the hotel also appeared in the James Bond movie franchise. Lobby renovated in 2019.
- An der Alster 72-79 20099 Hamburg
- kempinski.com/de/hamburg/hotel-atlantic/
- NIVEA Vending Machine
- Shop
A vending machine from Nivea, famous for their blue tins, pokes from the corner of a building. After all, this is the hometown of Beiersdorf, which created Nivea nearly 110 years ago. The vending machine outside Nivea Haus sells mini Nivea tins for €1, an easy fix for dry hands on the go.
- Jungfernstieg 51, 20354 Hamburg
- nivea.de/nivea-haus/nivea-haus
- Deichtorhallen
- Art Gallery
Consisting of two steel and glass structures built in 1914 as markets, the northern hall was reborn in 1989 as the Hall for Contemporary Art, while the southern hall became the House of Photography in 2005. Host of exhibitions by big-name artists such as Wolfgang Tillmans, Gilbert & George, and Raymond Pettibon. An exhibition of South African artist William Kentridge is on view through April 18th, with the Tom Sachs exhibition Space Program planned for June 19th.
- Deichtorstraße 1 − 2 20095 Hamburg
- deichtorhallen.de
- Wasserschloss Speicherstadt Teakontor
- Tea Specialty Store
On the canals of Hamburg’s warehouse district, a designated World Heritage site, the aptly named “Water Castle” was once used for workspace and lodging by engineers working in the harbour. Today, the building houses a bustling restaurant and a tea store, with over 250 teas from all over the world.
- Dienerreihe 4 20457 Hamburg
- wasserschloss.de
Designer Jil Sander’s Favourite Spots
- Hamburg City Hall
- City Hall
Neighbouring UNIQLO, this Neo-Renaissance seat of government is 111 m wide, with a 112 m tower. The office where Jil works was designed by the same architect, Martin Haller. Enjoy refined traditional cuisine at Parlament, a restaurant on the lower level.
- Rathausmarkt 1 20095 Hamburg
- hamburg.de/rathaus/
- Elbphilharmonie
- Concert Hall
Known affectionately as Elphi, this concert hall completed in 2017 was designed by Herzog & de Meuron, who also worked on the UNIQLO Tokyo store. Former warehouses have been converted into restaurants and a hotel. Acoustics for the Grand Concert Hall were designed by the masterful Yasuhisa Toyota of Nagata Acoustics.
- Platz der Deutschen Einheit 4 20457 Hamburg
- elbphilharmonie.de
- Sautter+Lackmann Fachbuchhandlung
- Book Store
The premier specialty bookstore in Hamburg, boasting a stock of over 50,000 titles related to art, architecture, urban planning, graphic design, photography and film. Since it was opened by the Sautter couple in 1970, the selection has only grown. Moved to the current location in 1989. Offering choice local interest titles like art books by artist Horst Janssen and the latest books on urban planning.
- Admiralitätstraße 71/72 20459 Hamburg
- sautter-lackmann.de
- Hotel Atlantic Kempinski Hamburg
- Hotel
Established in 1907, this grand hotel originally catered to passengers of the Hamburg America Line. With a long history of hosting international celebrities, the hotel also appeared in the James Bond movie franchise. Lobby renovated in 2019.
- An der Alster 72-79 20099 Hamburg
- kempinski.com/de/hamburg/hotel-atlantic/
- Deichtorhallen
- Art Gallery
Consisting of two steel and glass structures built in 1914 as markets, the northern hall was reborn in 1989 as the Hall for Contemporary Art, while the southern hall became the House of Photography in 2005. Host of exhibitions by big-name artists such as Wolfgang Tillmans, Gilbert & George, and Raymond Pettibon. An exhibition of South African artist William Kentridge is on view through April 18th, with the Tom Sachs exhibition Space Program planned for June 19th.
- Deichtorstraße 1 − 2 20095 Hamburg
- deichtorhallen.de
- Milch Feinkost at Portuguese Quarter
- Cafe
About 1.5 km west of the old town, the Portuguese Quarter was named for immigrants from Portugal who moved here in the 1970s to work in the harbour. The decades brought a trove of seafood and pasta restaurants, and today the area is frequented by office workers from the nearby publishers and ad agencies, as well as tourists.
Located on Ditmar-Koel-Straße, the neighbourhood's main street, Milch Feinkost has a retro tiled facade leftover from a 1950s milk store. Local coffee lovers find owner Nico’s daily roasts irresistibly delicious.
- Ditmar-Koel-Str. 22 20459 Hamburg
- Instagram @milchfeinkost
- Hamburgische Staatsoper
- Opera House
The Hamburg State Opera House, established in 1678, has the longest history of any opera house in Germany. Home to the Hamburg State Opera, whose GMD is Kent Nagano, the Hamburg Philharmonic State Orchestra, and the Hamburg Ballet, led by famed choreographer John Neumeier, whose Ghost Light considers the coronavirus.
- Große Theaterstraße 25, 20354 Hamburg
- staatsoper-hamburg.de
©Kiran West
- NIVEA Vending Machine
- Shop
A vending machine from Nivea, famous for their blue tins, pokes from the corner of a building. After all, this is the hometown of Beiersdorf, which created Nivea nearly 110 years ago. The vending machine outside Nivea Haus sells mini Nivea tins for €1, an easy fix for dry hands on the go.
- Jungfernstieg 51, 20354 Hamburg
- nivea.de/nivea-haus/nivea-haus
- Wasserschloss Speicherstadt Teakontor
- Tea Specialty Store
On the canals of Hamburg’s warehouse district, a designated World Heritage site, the aptly named “Water Castle” was once used for workspace and lodging by engineers working in the harbour. Today, the building houses a bustling restaurant and a tea store, with over 250 teas from all over the world.
- Dienerreihe 4 20457 Hamburg
- wasserschloss.de
Taking Hamburg Home
1. Hamburg Flag Magnet
The Flag of Hamburg consists of two six-pointed stars flanking the spire of the old St. Mary’s Cathedral, over a gated castle with two towers. The red and white colour scheme was codified in 1834. Available on cups and magnets, for a variety of souvenirs.
2. Labskaus
A local specialty consisting of corned beef and mashed potatoes, labskaus is said to be beloved by fishermen and sailors. This classic canned version is made by the Old Commercial Room, founded in 1795 and once visited by the Beatles. The trick is to toss it in a mixer with beets and gherkins until it turns pink, then garnish with fried egg and herring.
3. Gummy Hamburger
As the birthplace of gummies, Germany offers no shortage of the treats. And look what we found: a nice, thick gummy burger. Different theories link Hamburg to the hamburger, but it’s widely believed that pan-fried meatballs sold in town crossed the Atlantic at the turn of the century.
