UNStudio Wins Competition for Mixed-Use High Rise in the Heart of Frankfurt
Dutch architecture firm UNStudio has won a competition for the development of the of the former Deutsche Bank site in Frankfurt, Germany. The firm was chosen with the complete assent of the eight jury members who include city representatives, architects, urban development experts, and developer Groß & Partner. UNStudio’s proposal was chosen from 11 entries by national and international firms. Two third prizes were awarded to the proposals by teams Dudler / Jahn and MSW / Snøhetta, and there was an honorable mention to the proposal by Christoph Mäckler / CoopHimmelblau.
All competitors were required to submit a design proposal for four mixed-use high-rise buildings connected by a multi-storey pedestal to be an attraction for people in the heart of Frankfurt. The development project will include retail, gastronomy, and hotels, in addition to a wide range of accommodation. The buildings which will rise up to 228m are planned to redefine the skyline of Frankfurt.
UNStudio’s winning proposal impressed the jury with “the variety of attractive cubes, the ensemble effect of the four towers as well as the spatial quality, which is also reflected by the integration of the listed buildings in the Junghofstrasse.” The project will enable the developers to turn the site, which has been deemed inaccessible for more than 45 years, into a public space. Following the recent development of a masterplan for the full district, it is expected to receive 3,000 workers and house 1,000 residents.
“I am delighted that the four towers will create a new, pulsating location in the heart of Frankfurt City,” says Jürgen Groß, managing partner of Groß & Partner. The project offers the opportunity to increase Frankfurt’s attractiveness as an interesting and viable city at an international level and thus make an important contribution to the development of our city. We consider the design of UNStudio very successful because the four towers enrich the skyline not only architecturally, but also as a public attraction.”
City Councilor Mike Josef, also, says, “The project will play a pioneering role in the transformation of Frankfurt’s banking district into a mixed-use quarter. With the new layout of the site and a greater mix of programs, a new space with a publicly accessible roof area and affordable living space will be created. The centrally located site, which has for a long time been closed, will now be open to the public. This will become a lively neighborhood, not only for working but also for living.”
The construction of the project is expected to begin this year, and its first building is expected to open in 2021.
