The future of the Hochheimer Hof will be decided in March.

The city is faced with the choice of whether or not to purchase the historical building ensemble in Hochheim's old town.

The opportunity for this arises from a right of first refusal that the municipality is entitled to for all houses in the old town.

The city can now exercise this right because the previous owner has sold the building.

According to the city, the buyer is a company owned by the current tenants.

There isn't much time left for the decision because the period for the right of first refusal is about to expire.

Jan Schiefenhoevel

Editor in the Rhein-Main-Zeitung.

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City councilors debated this issue last week, albeit in closed session so that citizens could not follow the discussion.

As the city administration announced when asked, no decision was made at this meeting.

The top management is currently still negotiating with the buyers.

A special meeting is therefore planned for Thursday, March 3, so that the decision can be made in good time before the deadline.

The Hochheimer Hof consists of several parts.

The Dalheimer Hof with its half-timbered facade was once a monastery building.

The wine press house is in the inner courtyard.

On the right is the classical Ehrenfels Castle, which used to house a restaurant, with its sandstone window frames.

Behind it lies the terrace, which is accessible from the inner courtyard.

The ensemble occupies almost the entire block between Mainzer Strasse, Rathausstrasse and Laternengasse.

The city sold the farm in 2006

The farm had previously belonged to the city until 2006.

The buildings were used as the old town centre, in which rooms were made available for the clubs.

Then the city, whose financial situation was very tight at the time, sold the Hochheimer Hof to a restaurateur.

He set up three restaurants in it, but gave them up after a few years.

In 2011, the municipality had another opportunity to buy, but decided against it.

The buyer initially ran the farm himself according to a new gastronomic concept before leasing the premises.

Currently, the tenants use the Hochheimer Hof exclusively for events and celebrations such as weddings.

The restaurant in Ehrenfels Castle is not open on a daily basis.

Mayor Dirk Westedt (FDP) does not consider this desirable.

In his opinion, the ensemble must open itself up as a contact point for everyone.

That's why he suggested the factions to buy it.

The mayor declined to comment on the purchase price.

According to the standard land value applicable to the area, this results in an amount of more than 750,000 euros.

According to Westedt's plans, the restaurant will not be continued with the city as the owner.

Instead, the city library could move in there.

The hall under the roof is still available for parties.