After 6 years BMW has finally finished construction on BMW Welt (World), which opens to the public in just a few days. While serving as a center point for everything that is BMW, this unusual eye-catching building is a clear example of progressive architecture combined with modern design and engineering.
In addition to the various presentations, multi-media displays and exhibits about BMW cars and motorcycles, the main function of BMW Welt is to serve as a highly personalized delivery point of new cars to their owners. For an added touch of exclusivity, only customers picking up new cars will have access to the Car Delivery Center. From the press release below, “Here, customer cars are presented on no less than 20 turntables and ten panorama pedestals, waiting for their new owners. From here the visitor has an exceptional view on the public days of the BMW Museum, the BMW Plant as well as the BMW Building and Double Cone.” Through this dramatic delivery experience BMW hands over 45,000 vehicles per year in addition to the 850,000 visitors.
Other sections of BMW Welt include the Events Forum for concerts, exhibitions, conferences and live transmissions, as well as receptions and seminars, BMW Individual Exclusive Area which presents the color ranges and material options, The Bistro, Junior Campus for ages 7 – 13, Technology and Design Studios and Lifestyle & Original Accessory Shop amongst others.
After 800,000 hours of planning, 120 architects and engineers collaborating and 15,000 completed plans, the Munich Olympic Car Park was demolished on August 1, 2003 to make make space for the construction. From July 16, 2004 when the first stone was set, until the final interior touches ending in June 2007, BMW Welt will be open to the public on October 20-21, allowing visitors to experience the facilities prior to their actual start of operations on October 23.
BMW Welt Opening.
The Opening of the BMW Welt will begin on Wednesday, 17 October 2007 with a festive ceremony in the new building. The gates to the BMW Welt will then open to the public at large on the weekend of 20/21 October 2007. On the occasion visitors from all over the world are invited to experience the future-oriented architecture of the building for the first time, getting to know and enjoying the BMW Welt exclusively in all areas.
BMW Welt Opening on 17 October 2007.
On 17 October at approximately 12:00 noon Dr. Norbert Reithofer, the Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, will be opening the BMW Welt, a total of 800 invited guests and representatives of the press celebrating this great moment together. Representing the official inauguration of the new Car Delivery Centre at the BMW Welt, a BMW will be handed over in a special ceremony to the first customer.
The absolute highlight of the Opening Ceremony will be the symbolic opening act by the Team of the BMW Welt, proving through their appearance that the BMW Welt only becomes a venue full of life, encounter and dialogue through the people who work here day in and day out. The festive ceremony will be accompanied by the Opera Studio of the Bavarian State Opera with a pianist and several soloists.
Public Days at the BMW Welt on 20/21 October 2007.
Looking behind the scenes from 10:00–21:00.
The next big moment will come on 20 October at 10:00 am, with the BMW Welt opening its gates for two days to visitors from Munich and all over the world, offering them the unique opportunity to take a close look at the various areas and highlights in the BMW Welt.
On the following Tuesday, 23 October 2007, the BMW Welt will then start regular operation, with the first cars being delivered to customers.
Upon their arrival at the BMW Welt, visitors will first receive information on the building itself. To keep waiting periods short and entertaining, presenters will offer an interesting programme of events on a special stage set up especially for the Public Days. The BMW Welt will close on these days at 21:00, experts being present throughout the Public Days at the individual stations for interesting talks and to provide background information.
BMW Welt. The exclusive tour.
During the Public Days visitors will enter the BMW Welt through the Northern Entrance. The Plaza within the BMW Welt is the ideal starting point for touring all parts of the building and provides an overview of the very unusual architecture and the various areas within this unique achievement in modern design and engineering. Directly next to the Northern Entrance the presentation of BMW cars starts at the right, with cars from all current model series being presented in the BMW Welt.
Just a few metres further on, the BMW Individual Exclusive Area presents unique colours and rare materials. The Bistro is to the left, the Junior Campus a few steps further on to the right. The latter is a special encounter and event area for children and young people between 7 and 13, where they can experience the topic of “Mobility with All Your Senses”.
Directly opposite, the visitor will enter the BMW Welt Technology and Design Studio. This is where the enthusiast wishing to experience BMW’s art of engineering and design will receive a comprehensive insight into new developments, enjoying interesting exhibitions and interactive exhibits. One example is a Design Configurator enabling the visitor to create his or her dream car. Another option is to find out all about BMW CleanEnergy and BMW EfficientDynamics.
The BMW Lifestyle & Original Accessories Shop within the BMW Welt is just a few metres behind the Junior Campus. Here, aficionados of the brand, sophisticated accessories or Formula 1 will find a unique range of equally unique products. And this is also where the customer picking up a new car is able to buy accessories on the spur of the moment, such as a roof rack for bicycles or child seats fitted into the car right on the spot.
Continuing along the Plaza, the visitor will reach the Double Cone at the Southern Entrance – a truly unusual, eye-catching section of the building presenting exhibitions on the BMW brand. On two levels, the opening exhibition highlights some unique exhibits, films and vehicles with the focus on BMW EfficientDynamics.
The Double Cone also serves as the ideal venue for exclusive cultural events, with jazz matinées starring hand-picked international artists starting in November and pre-Christmas concerts with jazz and classic music in December.
The Premiere Level, the very heart of the Car Delivery Centre, is right in the middle of the BMW Welt, directly above the Technology and Design Studio. While the Premiere Level will be freely accessible during the public days, only customers picking up their cars will have access to this area in future, enjoying a truly exclusive process when taking delivery of their new vehicle.
Here, customer cars are presented on no less than 20 turntables and ten panorama pedestals, waiting for their new owners. From here the visitor has an exceptional view on the public days of the BMW Museum, the BMW Plant as well as the BMW Building and Double Cone.
Turning to the north in the direction of the underground station, the visitor will then see the Events Forum, the Motorcycle Exhibition and the Premium Lounge where the customer waits for the big moment when walking down the stairs to the Premiere Level.
Yet another striking highlight of the BMW Welt is the Gallery, the large sweeping bridge extending out of the pedestrian bridge connecting the BMW Welt with the Museum and extending through the building all the way to the Events Forum on the northern side.
Through its elevated position, the Gallery offers an expansive view of the BMW Welt, the Premiere Level, and everything happening on the Ground Floor. And it is from here that the visitor also reaches the catering area with the Restaurant International, the Coffee Bar, and the Club Restaurant.
Rolli
October 18, 2007 4:23 PM
