Rathaus Bocholt

The New Town Hall in Bocholt stands on an artificial island in the Bocholter Aa, near the city centre. The building was designed by Gottfried Böhm, a Pritzker Prize-winning architect. It houses the city administration, council chamber, meeting rooms for political groups, and a theatre with about 700 seats. A branch of the Borken district office is also located inside. The historic town hall remains on the market square. The building is shaped like a ship, surrounded by water on all sides. Two small bridges lead to the entrance, and a nearby bridge called the Seufzerbrücke crosses the river. Inside, a central foyer often hosts small exhibitions. The foyer’s design reflects 1970s architecture, with varied materials and open spaces. Offices occupy the upper floors, arranged in large open-plan areas divided by partition walls. Around 350 staff work here. The glass façade is divided by light green steel elements, while the closed areas feature light red brickwork. One side of the building is decorated with dates and facts about the city’s history, along with the city’s coat of arms. A small oriel near the main entrance echoes the Renaissance style of the old town hall. The building was protected as a monument in 2016 and honoured as Monument of the Month in 2020.