Ruhrlandkaserne

Ruhrlandkaserne is a former military facility on the Phönixberg plateau in Kupferdreh, built in the 1930s with architecture typical of that period. The site spreads across a large area with multiple building complexes that once served various military functions.

The site was founded in 1937 as a Luftwaffe defense center and remained in military use until 1994. Over those decades, various military units were stationed there, including British forces and units from the German Federal Armed Forces.

The name connects the Ruhr industrial region with military infrastructure, and today visitors can see how former barracks structures have been integrated into residential spaces. The architecture shapes how the Kupferdreh district looks and reveals how a neighborhood can transform its identity over time.

The site sits on a plateau and is accessible on foot, though paths within the former barracks grounds vary in their condition. Visitors should allow adequate time to explore the sprawling area and wear appropriate footwear.

After its military years ended, the vast property was taken over by Allbau in 1995 and transformed into a residential area called Dilldorfer Höhe. This conversion demonstrates how a military site can be completely reimagined for civilian living.

Location: Essen

Inception: 1937

GPS coordinates: 51.38560,7.07741

Latest update: December 12, 2025 07:59