Bad Berleburg. The success story has entered its next chapter: “The New Capitol” in Bad Berleburg launched the first of its three key components over the weekend. The restaurant in Herrengarten is now open to visitors. Owner Christian Kocherscheidt and project manager Carolin Lünser celebrated the opening together with the companies involved in construction, neighbors, and supporters. Regular restaurant operations have been running since Saturday.
“This project is intended to become an extraordinary place,” said project manager Carolin Lünser. The conditions are ideal. The combination of cinema, hotel, and restaurant is unique in Germany. From late summer onwards, overnight stays will also be possible at the Capitol, and the first films will be shown, Christian Kocherscheidt revealed in an interview. The Ejot managing director owns the property together with his sister Kathrin.
Visitors at the opening weekend were enthusiastic. The centerpiece of the cinema hotel is the spacious bar and reception area. From here, all components of the Capitol are managed – from drink orders to cinema tickets and hotel room bookings. With its large glass façade, the restaurant is a real eye-catcher, and a large beer garden is planned for the outdoor area in summer. In the long term, “The New Capitol” is expected to open seven days a week from 5:30 p.m., and on weekends already from midday.
Christian Kocherscheidt outlined the roadmap for the coming weeks and months: “Next week, work will begin on the second and third construction phases.” The hotel is likely to be completed before the cinema. “We strongly hope that the people of Bad Berleburg and the Wittgenstein region will embrace this offer.” He revealed that the first ideas for revitalizing the cinema date back to 2019. As an employer, he considered how to make the town more attractive for employees. “We wanted to leverage the strength of the cinema and turn it into an experience with its surroundings – a place where people can spend a great evening with friends and family.”
The Ejot managing director admitted that this step was not a spontaneous decision. However, he added: “The greater risk is, as we know, the fear of taking risks.” He expressed his thanks to all those who supported and advanced the project – including the neighbors, who were delighted to see activity returning to the center of Bad Berleburg.
Mayor Bernd Fuhrmann remarked that “you can already sense the excitement of entertaining film evenings.” He added: “What has been created here is truly something special.” The Capitol demonstrates how closely the city’s sustainability strategy is linked to such outstanding projects. “The New Capitol” is already an important meeting point and will become a key cultural location in the city. A strong network of associations, businesses, initiatives, and the municipality supports the development and future of Bad Berleburg.
Newspaper article from the Siegener Zeitung, March 6, 2023, by Martin Völkel.