Hamburg – September 11, 2026 -- Hamburg's Senate has approved the procedural framework for a new Asklepios Klinik Altona, clearing the way for a Europe-wide tender to build a 600-bed hospital serving more than 280,000 residents in western Hamburg.
Senate clears path for continent-wide procurement process
The city's Social Affairs Authority and Asklepios have agreed on key parameters covering planning and construction awards, project financing, supporting infrastructure and land provision. The Hamburg parliament (Bürgerschaft) will decide on final construction and equipment costs once tender results are in, with a vote expected by the end of 2027.
New facility to house 600 beds, 60 in intensive care
The planned hospital will include 600 beds, 60 of them in intensive care, plus 46 neonatology beds operated in continued cooperation with Altonaer Kinderkrankenhaus. It will feature twelve inpatient operating theaters and five fast-track surgical suites for outpatient procedures. The current facility treats roughly 90,000 patients annually, including more than 30,000 inpatient cases, and serves western Hamburg plus the Pinneberg, Stade and Harburg districts up to the A7 highway and the port area.
Hamburg to cover 77% of investment costs citing ground conditions
The Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg will fund 77% of investment costs under the hospital financing law, with Asklepios contributing 23% -- a split reflecting challenging subsurface conditions at the Othmarschen site. The total project cost has not been disclosed publicly to avoid influencing bidder offers. A single general contractor will be selected through a negotiated Europe-wide procedure with a preliminary competitive selection phase, moving from indicative cost proposals to a binding fixed-price offer.
Infrastructure works worth €44 million precede main construction
Preparatory infrastructure work is already budgeted: €14 million is allocated in the 2027/2028 draft budget for a new utility corridor along the A7 and an interim road. A further €30 million is earmarked through 2035 for relocating Paul-Ehrlich-Straße and adjusting traffic and access infrastructure.
Aging 1959-built tower no longer meets modern hospital standards
The existing 21-story hospital tower, built between 1959 and 1970 and once regarded as one of Germany's most modern hospitals, is now a protected heritage structure that can no longer meet current energy and operational requirements despite extensive renovations. The new hospital will rise on the existing Othmarschen site between Behringstraße and the current building, with patient wards in an up to eleven-story northern wing and a rooftop helipad.
Hospital operations will continue at full capacity throughout construction, with emergency service access maintained. Completion is targeted for 2035.
Social Affairs Senator Melanie Schlotzhauer said the city and Asklepios have resolved central questions despite difficult conditions and are now launching the procurement procedure as the next step toward a state-of-the-art hospital.