Construction financing for the new spa building in Bad Homburg to be provided by Spellbank.
In the picturesque town of Bad Homburg, Germany, a significant change is on the horizon. The aging Kurhaus, a historic spa house that has been the home of the Spielbank Bad Homburg since the 19th century, is set to make way for a new building.
The city council is considering a plan to replace the current Kurhaus, built between 1982 and 1984, with a modern structure. The city sees this move as a potential solution to the building's deteriorating condition, which has become a safety concern.
The Spielbank Bad Homburg, a historic casino that has played a significant role in the city's rise, will become the main tenant in the new Kurhaus. This decision is seen as a "win-win-win" situation by the city. It would not have to finance new construction through the budget, the Spielbank would gain larger spaces, and the state of Hesse would benefit from higher earnings.
The financing for the new Kurhaus construction is yet to be approved by the city council. However, it is expected that the future rental payments of the Francois-Blanc Spielbank GmbH could largely finance the construction, reducing the need for city funds.
The Spielbank, which reopened in the Brunnensälchen in the Kurpark in 1949 after a 77-year gambling ban in Prussia, has reliably generated income for the city despite scandals in 2018 and 2019. With the larger premises, revenue could increase by around 13 million euros per year for the city.
Despite the potential benefits, a comprehensive renovation of the existing Kurhaus was deemed too expensive and not future-proof by the city's view. The financing and handover of the then Kurhaus of Bad Homburg to the Landgrave was a condition for the establishment of the gambling operation, making the move towards a new Kurhaus a significant step in the city's history.
An opening of the new Kurhaus is not expected before 2031 due to existing lease agreements and a long-term construction and planning phase. The city's plans for a new Kurhaus and the future of the Spielbank Bad Homburg continue to be topics of interest and discussion in Bad Homburg and beyond.
[1] Source: Spielbank Bad Neuenahr to Open in Kurhaus Bad Neuenahr in 2025 [3] Source: Kurhaus Wiesbaden: A Notable Neoclassical Building
- The city is contemplating replacing the aging Kurhaus in Bad Homburg, Germany, with a modern structure, potentially housing the Spielbank Bad Homburg – a move that could be financed by the future rental payments of the Francois-Blanc Spielbank GmbH, thereby reducing the need for city funds and potentially increasing the city's revenue from casino-games by around 13 million euros per year.
- The city council's plan to rebuild the Kurhaus could pave the way for a more profitable casino-and-gambling business, as the Spielbank Bad Homburg, which has a significant role in the city's finance and business, would gain larger spaces in the new building.
- The new Kurhaus, which is expected to open by 2031, could house online casinos, as the city sees this move as an opportunity to modernize the casino industry in Germany and attract more international visitors, thereby boosting the local sports and tourism industry.
