The UNESCO World Heritage Committee has declared two districts of the German city of Hamburg a world heritage site: the Speicherstadt and Chilehaus with the Kontorhaus District. Declared following a meeting in Bonn, the designation was based on the belief that the areas represent "an outstanding example" of an urban area that "illustrate[s] significant stages in human history."

The districts comprise Hamburg's historic warehouse area, with a complex of connecting waterways, bridges and roads. The area was built primarily between 1885 and 1927, and housed the city's bustling port-related industry. 

Spiecherstadt, the world's largest historic warehouse ensemble, includes 17 buildings in the Gothic red-brick style and once held goods such as spices, tobacco, coffee and tea. In recent years, the area has become a major tourist hub, with such destinations as the world's largest miniature railway and the Hamburg Dungeon.

Opposite the Spiecherstadt, the Kontorhaus district is considered "Continental Europe's first business district." Built under the supervision of Fritz Schumacher, the area includes the Chilehaus, cited as the "the most significant artistic and architectural achievement of German Brick Expressionism." The brick edifice resembles a ship's bow and is considered one of country's first high-rises. 

"I am absolutely delighted about this success," Hamburg Mayor Olaf Scholz stated. "We, the people of Hamburg, can be proud of our city’s new World Heritage Site." The designation marks the culmination of an efforts that began in 1999.