Hamburg's Evolutioneum Museum Finds a Home in the Iconic Elbtower

Hamburg’s new Evolutioneum natural history museum has found a home in the Elbtower at HafenCity. The city acquired the space for €595 million, allowing construction to restart after a pause last year. Once complete, the museum will focus on evolution and biodiversity, aiming to draw half a million visitors each year. The museum will occupy around 46,000 square metres inside the Elbtower, a prominent location near the Elbe bridges. Its position connects urban life with natural themes, reinforcing the idea that human progress depends on understanding all living systems.

David Chipperfield Architects are designing the interior, featuring a grand atrium and carefully structured exhibition areas. Two main halls—the Evolution Hall and the Biodiversity Gallery—will anchor the displays. The project also fulfils Hamburg’s commitment under a 2021 state treaty with North Rhine-Westphalia to establish a Leibniz Institute for biodiversity research. Plans for the Evolutioneum include serving as a public platform for discussing global biodiversity loss. Organisers expect it to open by 2029, offering a space where science, education, and urban nature intersect.

The Evolutioneum will bring a major cultural and scientific hub to HafenCity. With its focus on evolution and biodiversity, the museum aims to engage visitors while meeting regional research obligations. The €595 million investment secures its place as a key destination for years to come.