Location comparison for the theatre
Public information events on 26 and 27 February
Public information events on 26 and 27 February
Public information events on 26 and 27 February
(26.02.2026) This evening, Mayor Dagmar Ruscheinsky, Mayor Thomas Kütter and Dr Christoph Dittrich, General Director of Chemnitz Municipal Theatre, presented the current planning status and prospects for the future development of the theatre location at a public information event.
The aim was to provide transparent information about the process to date, the associated challenges and the opportunities and risks of possible locations and to outline the next steps.
The City of Chemnitz initially drew up a proposal for a decision on the location. This included the theatre on Zieschestraße with an extension, the potential areas at Spinnbau, the current interim venue for drama and puppet theatre at Chemnitz Theatre, as well as other options. The city council's parliamentary groups and the supervisory board called for an in-depth comparative analysis of the Zieschestraße and Spinnbau sites as a basis for decision-making.
External consultants from the internationally renowned Drees & Sommer office were brought in to draw up a comprehensive comparison, taking into account objective economic parameters as well as the quality of the location and building. Drees & Sommer also reviewed the rough cost calculations prepared by the City of Chemnitz, checked their plausibility and expanded on them.
The results show the following investment costs: A renovation of the Schauspielhaus at the old location, including an extension for the puppet theatre and studio stage, would incur costs of approx. 69 million euros (gross).
The development of the Spinnbau theatre quarter with a full stage, including a concentration of functions for workshops, puppet theatre, studio and rehearsal stages from eight to two locations, would incur costs of approx. 56 million euros (gross).
The cost development for the refurbishment of the Schauspielhaus at the old location, which was originally estimated at €34.2 million (gross) in 2024, resulted from the development of construction costs (construction price index), the consideration of the risk potential in an existing refurbishment and the expansion for the puppet theatre and studio stage.
The question of a sustainable location for the Chemnitz theatre has been a key issue for the city of Chemnitz for several years. Many Chemnitz residents associate personal experiences with the theatre on Zieschestraße. This tradition and quality must be preserved and taken into the future.
On Friday 27 February at 5 pm, the information will also be presented and discussed in a public information event. The event is fully booked.
The results show the following investment costs: A refurbishment of the theatre at the old location, including an extension for the puppet theatre and studio stage, would incur costs of approx. 69 million euros (gross).
The construction of a new theatre at the Spinnbau theatre quarter, including the use of the existing puppet theatre and studio stage, would incur costs of approx. 56 million euros (gross).
The cost development for the renovation of the Schauspielhaus at the old location, which was originally estimated at EUR 34.2 million (gross) in 2024, resulted from the development of construction costs (construction price index), the consideration of the risk potential for an existing renovation and the expansion for the puppet theatre and the studio stage.
The question of a sustainable location for the Chemnitz theatre has been a key issue for the city of Chemnitz for several years. Many Chemnitz residents associate personal experiences with the theatre on Zieschestraße. This tradition and quality must be preserved and taken into the future.
The information will also be presented and discussed in a public information event on Friday, 27 February at 5 pm. The event is fully booked.