FOUR

In March 2016 it was announced that the Dutch architectural firm UNStudio had won a concept competition for the urban redevelopment of Frankfurt’s DB estate with its plan to build four skyscrapers connected by a shared base structure. The winning design involves demolishing all but the historically listed buildings on Junghofstraße to make space for the development on the proposed site. According to the concept, the individual towers will stand at 233 metres (Tower 1), 178 metres (Tower 2), 125 metres (Tower 3) and 105 metres (Tower 4) in height. The largest of the towers – a 59-storey skyscraper located on Großen Gallusstraße – will become the third-tallest structure in Frankfurt and serve as a hotel and office building. The shortest tower – situated on Junghofstraße – will also house offices. The remaining two high-rises will contain 600 apartments.

After consultation with the city’s historic monument authorities, permission was granted for the creation of two openings in the long block of the 1950s buildings on Junghofstraße to allow public access to the site for the very first time. The new six-storey base structure will contain shops, food outlets and a day care centre in a move to revitalise the area and transform it into a vibrant public space.

The construction site will be one of the largest ever seen in Frankfurt and provide employment for up to 3,000 people. The size of the overall investment is estimated at one billion euros. When completed, the new urban quarter will offer workspaces for 3,000 people and accommodation for a further 1,000.