Frankfurt, the metropolis on the Main, is famous for its skyline. In the city centre, imposing corporate towers have been soaring skywards for years, giving it an international character that is unique in Germany. Berlin, Munich and Hamburg lag behind and often get bogged down in the nitty-gritty when it comes to the construction of new skyscrapers in Frankfurt. The city takes a bolder approach in this regard: taller, wider, more luxurious. Yet by international standards, the Hessian capital still lags miles behind. New magnificent buildings in Seoul or Singapore are making a name for themselves. This is a huge thorn in the side of the German financial centre, particularly in the wake of Brexit and its changed position on the international stage. Twenty new skyscrapers are planned, and buyers are already queuing up.
Frankfurt rises like a phoenix from the ashes
Frankfurt’s skyline may tower above all other cities in Germany, but its panorama is still a long way from being world-class. In international competition, people think on a different scale. Sydney boasts the most beautiful skyscraper in the world. It is called ‘1 Bligh Street’. A joint project by the Düsseldorf-based architect Christoph Ingenhoven and his Australian colleague Ray Brown. Whilst the new office building does not set a height record, it certainly sets new standards in urban planning. It features a naturally ventilated double glass façade, thereby ensuring optimal natural light. Milan boasts the Busco Verticale, twin towers in the city centre on which 20,000 plants and 800 trees are to grow. A biotope in the heart of the northern Italian metropolis. “We’re bringing the forests into the city” and thereby reducing our ecological footprint – that is the aim of Milan’s town planning department.
Frankfurt was already aware back in 2008 that it had long since ceased to be able to compete with international architectural successes. New projects were planned. But, unfortunately, they were put on hold again shortly afterwards. The reason: the financial crisis had hit Germany’s number one financial centre particularly hard. There was a sense of despair. In times of hordes of unemployed bankers, there was no room for new, ambitious plans.
Population figures are booming
Frankfurt has long since pulled itself out of the crisis and is now in a better position than before. With 730,000 residents, the influx of new residents continues apace. So there is no sign whatsoever of the Hessian capital’s decline. Quite the opposite, in fact: since Brexit, the international financial centre of gravity has shifted from London to the European mainland. There has been speculation that this could result in around 11,000 new jobs being created in Frankfurt.
In the race for pole position in the European financial sector, Paris and Amsterdam joined Frankfurt in the fray. All three beat the drum vigorously and were eager to attract new branches of major British and American banks. Although Paris ultimately claimed victory, some of that lustre has rubbed off on the metropolis on the Main. This growing importance must also be reflected in the cityscape. Everyone at the city planning office seems to agree on this. The Zeil is lined with DAX-listed corporations, and the European Central Bank (ECB) is setting new architectural trends. There’s still room for more, architects think, and are giving free rein to their ambition.
New major projects: Grand Tower, Praedium and Omniturm
The Grand Tower, planned to be 173 metres tall, is currently under construction in the Europaviertel. A residential tower, and according to media reports, the tallest building of its kind in Germany. Although still at the structural stage, with not even all the floors completed, over 80 per cent of the future flats have already been snapped up. And competition is already growing right on its doorstep. The residential high-rise with the evocative name Praedium boasts comparable superlatives amongst Frankfurt’s high-rises. Financial success will certainly not be long in coming. As early as 2016, 30 per cent of all owner-occupied flats sold in Frankfurt were in high-rise buildings. And the trend is upwards.
And architects are also stepping it up a notch in the banking district. The ‘Four’ project is set to be realised on a former Deutsche Bank site. A complex comprising four buildings: a 228-metre office and hotel tower, another 100-metre-high office tower, and two residential towers standing at 175 and 120 metres respectively.
Nextower Frankfurt: A prestigious office building in the heart of the city
The city is upgrading its infrastructure and attracting more and more international firms. Frankfurt already offers the ideal conditions to help successful businesses expand globally. The Nextower, for example, has become a landmark of the Palais Quarter. Built between 2004 and 2010, it stands 135 metres tall and has 32 storeys. Its unique aesthetic makes Thurn- und Taxis-Platz a prestigious address. Our COLLECTION Business Centre Frankfurt is located on the 29th floor, offering you a breathtaking view of Frankfurt’s future impressive skyscrapers.
Cover image: © Shutterstock/Jearu
