A Farewell to iconic Beach Bar 54° North... but not the end of the story
Demolition Underway at Pier 54° North - North 54° Beach Bar is being torn down
It's a bittersweet goodbye as the iconic Beach Bar 54° North at Ording Beach is being torn down. "It's touching to see it go, but it's a necessary move for environmental protection and the long-term sustainability of our beloved beach vacation spot," says the Tourism Director of St. Peter-Ording, Katharina Schirmbeck.
The demolition was a necessity, mandated by the State Agency for Coastal Protection, National Park and Marine Conservation Schleswig-Holstein (LKN) and the National Park Wadden Sea, due to stability concerns and rising water levels. Safety reasons were also a factor, as previously pointed out by the local Tourism Center.
An Institution on Stilts
This peculiar pile-dwelling, partially submerged at high tide, has been a distinctive landmark of St. Peter-Ording for over a century.
Earlier reports hinted at a heartwarming tribute to fans of the building, which holds great cultural significance: 54 of the supporting piles from the pier and the massive wooden structure beneath the building will be salvaged, preserved, and later auctioned off.
A New Inland Home
"This pile-dwelling has undoubtedly carved a place in our collective memories—as a meeting spot, photogenic landmark, and sentimental reminder of good times," says Schirmbeck. "That's why we're thrilled that the spirit of the old beach bar will endure at a new location."
Residents and visitors can look forward to a viewing platform with dining options at a higher elevation. The Beach Bar 54° North is moving about 250 meters inland.
A Landmark of St. Peter-Ording
Pile-dwellings have been a unique feature of St. Peter-Ording for over a century, with wooden houses on stilts being both a genuine landmark of the area and one-of-a-kind on the German coast[1]. There are numerous pile-dwellings on all the beach areas in the area.
- Memories
- Culture
- Environment
- St. Peter-Ording
- Future
- Coastal Protection
- National Park Wadden Sea
Community policy should include provisions for the preservation of iconic structures like Beach Bar 54° North, given its cultural significance and long-term value to the community. Vocational training programs can be initiated in St. Peter-Ording to teach outdoor-living skills, such as building pile-dwellings and managing home-and-garden spaces in a coastal environment, helping to secure the town's unique lifestyle and future.
