FGvW Advises Dominican Order on Leasehold of Former Heilig Kreuz Monastery Church in Cologne to Theater der Keller

FGvW represented Dominikanerprovinz Teutonia e.V. (the Dominican Order) in connection with a leasehold agreement granting the former Heilig Kreuz monastery church in Cologne to Theater der Keller e.V. The transaction establishes a long-term leasehold for the secularized monastery church at Lindenstraße 45 in Cologne. The space has been granted to the independent theatre Theater der Keller e.V. for an initial period of 60 years, with two options to extend the lease by ten years each. The contractual arrangement is intended to create a sustainable and sensitive solution at the interface between religious spirituality and independent theatre culture, ensuring that the dignity of the former monastery church is preserved while allowing open and meaningful use by residents and the wider city. Under the agreement, the order sought to secure a future use that aligns with the original purpose of the church: a place where people come together to engage with issues larger than themselves and leave inspired. Dominican Father Dr. Gottfried Michelbrand OP, prior of the Heilig Kreuz convent, described the project as a consciously designed transformation. The Dominican community vacated the convent building due to advanced age and held its last service in the monastery church in August 2022. Following renovation, the theatre plans to open for the 2027/28 season with a main stage accommodating up to 199 visitors, a laboratory stage seating approximately 100, and two rehearsal stages. The arrangement draws on the long histories of both institutions: the Dominicans' presence in Cologne since the 13th century, the secularization of the monastery at the end of the 18th century, their return and reconstruction of the Lindenstraße monastery at the turn of the 20th century, and the rebuilding and reconsecration of the church after World War II in 1952. Theater der Keller, Cologne's oldest private theatre, was founded in 1955, relocated in 1974 to premises in the Südstadt district, and after the termination of its previous lease in 2019 has been temporarily housed elsewhere in the city. FGvW represented Dominikanerprovinz Teutonia e.V. with a team composed by: Dr Uwe Steingröver, Cologne-based partner, practice area: real estate law.

FGvW Advises Dominican Order on Leasehold of Former Heilig Kreuz Monastery Church in Cologne to Theater der Keller

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