Colonia-Haus, Residential skyscraper in Riehl, Germany
Colonia-Haus is a modern residential tower in Riehl spanning 45 floors and reaching 147 meters high. It houses roughly 373 residential units of varying sizes along with commercial spaces and shared facilities in the lower levels.
The foundation stone was laid on 24 November 1970, and the topping-out ceremony took place on 20 October 1972. The first tenants moved in on 1 August 1973. From 1973 to 1976 it was the tallest building in Germany, and until 2020 the tallest predominantly residential building in the country.
The name comes from the Colonia insurance company, the builder and first owner, which placed an illuminated sign with its name on the tower. After Axa took over the insurer in 1997, the lettering at the top was changed to "AXA" in 1998, but the name Colonia-Haus stayed, as the sign above the entrance shows. A beer garden and a kiosk now occupy the basement.
Interior visits, including the upper floors and their view, are not open to outsiders; a porter controls entry. The building is at An der Schanz 2 in Cologne-Riehl, directly on the Rhine. A beer garden and kiosk occupy the lower level.
The 45th floor holds the "Top of Cologne" event room, 119 m² for up to 121 people, bookable by the public. Residents' storage lockers sit on the 42nd floor, and mailboxes are placed on each floor rather than in one central lobby.
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