FRANKFURT:

Palais Quartier / FrankfurtHochVier (35st + 28st + mall + palace)

STATS:

Type: Mixed-use development

1. Tower @ Thurn & Taxis Palais – 130m/426ft (140m/459ft including spires), 35 floors, office
2. Hotel @ Thurn & Taxis Palais – 99m/325ft, 28 floors, hotel
3. Zeilforum – 44m/144ft, 8 floors, retail
4. Thurn & Taxis Palais Reconstruction

Size:

· Gross Floor Space above ground: 120 500 sq m (1 296 580 sq ft)
· Gross Floor Space underground: 105 500 sq m (1 135 180 sq ft)
· Retail: 48 500 sq m (521 860 sq ft)
· Office: 42 000 sq m (451 920 sq ft)
· Hotel/Residential: 20 500 sq m (220 580 sq ft)
· Parking: 1 390 cars


Location: Frankfurt Zeil – Europe’s biggest pedestrian mall

Architect: KSP Engel & Zimmermann (Frankfurt), Massimiliano Fuksas (Rome), Martha Schwarz (New York)

Developer: MAB B.V. (The Hague)

Date of completion: 2009

Website: http://www.frankfurthochvier.de/


Facts:

· Replacing the main post office and one of Frankfurt’s first highrise buildings after World War II – the 75m/246ft T-Hochhaus.
· Original reconstruction of an 18th century palace (1727), designed by Robert de Cotte (Paris), the court architect for Louis XIV, the french “sun king” – which was mostly demolished after WWII
· Costs: € 960 000 000 ( over 1.4 bn US $)



Photos:

1. Area of the redevelopment
http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/8729/fhv84kv.jpg

2. Overview of the project
http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/2751/fhv91ob.jpg

3. Another rendering
http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/6945/fhv57sy.jpg

4. Yet another one
http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/3649/fhv912sg.jpg

5. Model
http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/7715/fhv945cm.jpg

6. Model
http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/9594/fhv929kl.jpg

7. Model
http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/3140/fhv930zr.jpg

8. Shopping mall
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/3175/fhv17nl.jpg

9.
http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/1714/fhv28eg.jpg

10.
http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/4471/fhv37xx.jpg

11.
http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/5341/fhv72yq.jpg

12.
http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/290/fhv996ed.jpg

13. Inside the mall
http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/3336/fhv9943vj.jpg

14. Model of the palace
http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/489/fhv9959fd.jpg

15.
http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/4301/fhv60eu.jpg

16.
http://img494.imageshack.us/img494/1025/fhv954rr.jpg

17. One of the roof gardens. The highest will be 90m/295ft.
http://img494.imageshack.us/img494/416/fhv9961vj.jpg

18.
http://img185.imageshack.us/img185/8049/plantx0.jpg

In addition to the project presented above, the same developer aquired the adjacent site of the former headquarter of a Frankfurt newspaper.

It is planned to erect a separate project, which will resemble the FrankfurtHochVier project.
Demolition of the complex is due to begin after christmas.
Date of completion: 2008, together with FrankfurtHochVier
Langhof Architects (Berlin) are currently working on the design.

1. The additional project will be located in the red area
http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/2535/new16nd.jpg


2. No.1 shows the complex which will be replaced, no.2 shows the area of the FrankfurtHochVier development – before demolition
http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/3774/new28mz.jpg




Btw. the building to be demolished for this project was modelled after a famous building in the US. Any idea, which one?

Great project, but not tall enough for Frankfurt!

Nice

Great project, but not tall enough for Frankfurt!


true, but it's going to be built in a mainly lowrise area - with only a few midrises in the area (see pic). so it will stick out quite a lot.

pic deleted

Ill post a few demolition and construction pics later.

800.000.000€
A little bit more and you could build the Burj Dubai >_<

Pics from me.

March 19th
http://tinypic.com/29zc0k

June 4th
http://tinypic.com/5nt0tc

August 30th
http://tinypic.com/bg1k5f.jpg

December 9th
http://tinypic.com/ienj4l.jpg

Construction Webcams:

800.000.000€
A little bit more and you could build the Burj Dubai >_<


True, It's really too expensive to build in Germany! :bash:

@ HD

I Know. It's not in the main cluster. But very close there is a very nice residential tower. :)

The frankfurt skyline is getting more spread out with this tower.

Nice Project

@lucky luke:

its about 2 times as expansive to built sth in germany than the same building for example in the us

I like it. Well employed space. Shows how a not so tall dev. can impact a neighborhood for the best.

@lucky luke:

its about 2 times as expansive to built sth in germany than the same building for example in the us


really?


by the way, a large chunk of the construction costs is always the cost of land - the dutch developer apparently paid 240 million €uros for this lot (plus another 45 million for the small adjacent lot).

800,000,000
:(
is that the main problem in Germany why there are no big skyscraper projects?

It's amazing project, but I don't know if they sould safe that Palace. It's any monument? It will look too small and ridicolous beside this modern tall building and mall.

I totally agree. the palace looks out of place. unfortunately the developer has to reconstruct the palace - only because of this the city gave the approval to built two taller towers. when the project was announced, there was only one small midrise planned.

sercan: this could be one of the problems. but I have to say this project is exceptional - due to it's complexity and location (and of course the exremly expensive cost of land). the european central bank is starting their 184m twisting skyscraper project in frankfurt in 2006 and it will only cost 500 million €.
so you see, you can built taller with less money.

sercan: this could be one of the problems. but I have to say this project is exceptional - due to it's complexity and location (and of course the exremly expensive cost of land). the european central bank is starting their 184m twisting skyscraper project in frankfurt in 2006 and it will only cost 500 million €.
so you see, you can built taller with less money.

:D
"only" 500 mil. for the ECB :D
actzually thats a little bit unfair for Germany
the Dubai Towers Istanbul will cost 625 mil. (500 Towers and 125 land)
BUT its normal for a +300m tower

the high prizes are not good for the German "Bauindustrie" :(

BTW
i like that project very much
it has got a high quality

really a wonderful proyect

congratulation for the city

HI! I have a question. About the little Palace, did that exist and was demolished to be reconstructed, or it didn´t exist!?

Because in the picture "1. Area of the redevelopment" we can see it but with some diferent caracteristics, then in the demolition pic we cant see it.

^^ OK, now I read it will be a reconstruction. But was it totaly demolished or what!?

Yes they totally demolished it.

At the moment Frankfurt HochVier (Zeil-Projekt) is the best projekt u/c in Germany

Thanks HT! It´s really a great project!! And I´m happy for the reconstruction, that´s a beautiful Palace :)

this:

http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/3336/fhv9943vj.jpg

reminds me of this, in a small mall in Sao Paulo - Brazil:

http://static.flickr.com/7/7482726_9d8a565b46_m.jpg

the facade/entrence o this mall:

http://www.spcvb.com.br/images/pontostur15.jpg

800,000,000
:(
is that the main problem in Germany why there are no big skyscraper projects?

I don't think that the high prices are the main reason. There's just no need for big offices right now.

And there are a lot of very stupid laws in germany and a lot of stupid people who are against everything !!!

Thats in fact a reason why nearly none of the many nice planned skyscraperprojekts in Frankfurt never get realized!!!

Amazing future Model pictures of Frankfurt including FrankfurtHochVier
note: white building are u/c, future projects or visions!

http://deutsches-architektur-forum.de/forum/showthread.php?t=4879

Very nice, but nearly all planned projekts are on ice or dead..: (

good to see that finally a tower is u/c in Frankfurt...has been to quiet in that city!
Also good to see were we Dutch devellopers spend our money on :D :)

Great project.

The tower isn't that appealing to me, however what I find truly amazing is the fact that they're still building in Frankfurt!
With all the talks with Eastern European countries, London and Madrid building up their towers, on top of that with everything that is being done all over Asia, Frankfurt was just silenced, I even thought it was almost dead, no new towers to expect from that city.
Even thought this is still too low for a city like Frankfurt, I guess it's better than nothing.
And I'll have to agree with the rest of ya, 800 million Euros! :eek:
seems very expensive to me

The main problem of frankfurt is the vacancy rate, but it's still a good news to see hat project going up.

^well I believe it does have something to do with a growing competition from all over Europe, starting in Germany itself, since Hamburg is building too.
But you're right, the tower isn't that bad and if they're building it, it means they're optimistic about the situation in the city

^well I believe it does have something to do with a growing competition from all over Europe, starting in Germany itself, since Hamburg is building too.
But you're right, the tower isn't that bad and if they're building it, it means they're optimistic about the situation in the city

We building in Frankfurt still more skyscrapers per people than London and Madrid. You have to remember that Frankfurt is a small city compared to the others.

The tower isn't that appealing to me, however what I find truly amazing is the fact that they're still building in Frankfurt!
With all the talks with Eastern European countries, London and Madrid building up their towers, on top of that with everything that is being done all over Asia, Frankfurt was just silenced, I even thought it was almost dead, no new towers to expect from that city.
Even thought this is still too low for a city like Frankfurt, I guess it's better than nothing.
And I'll have to agree with the rest of ya, 800 million Euros! :eek:
seems very expensive to me

It's not that Frankfurt was really dead. Frankfurt always had high quality Projects. In the last 2 years such as Blue Heaven, Westend Duo, Skyper, Main Triangel etc... and in the next 2 years the ECB Tower, Tectum Tower and others. That's pretty good for a city with a population of 600000 and don't forget that there's a big national competition with Berlin, Düsseldorf, Munich and Hamburg. London, Warsaw or Paris don't have any national competitions. :)

But you're right, the tower isn't that bad and if they're building it, it means they're optimistic about the situation in the city

There are a couple of old ugly towers in Frankfurt that should be razed and replaced by new and possibly higher constructions. I don't know how is the office demand at the moment in Frankfurt, but downtown FFM has not even a true mall. This one will be more than welcome.

=-O

some people have a real misconcepsion of the situation in frankfurt. it is true, that the vacancy rate is pretty high with 14.7 % but the office take up/demand is pretty high - there is only a few cities, like london, paris or muinch in europe, that have a larger demand per year. frankfurt is also still building more than most european cities.

and because no one cared to post some pics of current frankfurt projects, it doesn't mean there arean't any. frankfurt is still building a lot and it is again no.1 in germany in terms of construction - despite the real estate crisis (office, not residential - the residential market is booming as ever!).

The renderings look really nice, it is a very promising project.

There are a couple of old ugly towers in Frankfurt that should be razed and replaced by new and possibly higher constructions. I don't know how is the office demand at the moment in Frankfurt, but downtown FFM has not even a true mall. This one will be more than welcome.


why would the biggest pedestrian street in europe need a mall?
but I agree - it's a welcoming addition.



anyway...some ugly towers are being demolished and replaced by others:


this
http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/8729/fhv84kv.jpg

is getting replaced by this
http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/2751/fhv91ob.jpg











this
http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=109599

is being replaced by this
http://www.deutsches-architektur-forum.de/Galerie/data/504/1Tower24.jpg

here are a few brand new construction pics
http://img447.imageshack.us/img447/6952/49hx.jpg
http://img500.imageshack.us/img500/3996/24mb.jpg
http://img486.imageshack.us/img486/1365/70vl.jpg













and this
http://img378.imageshack.us/img378/3021/t19gs.jpg

is currently being replaced by this
http://www.deutsches-architektur-forum.de/Galerie/data/504/hochhaus.jpg

http://img378.imageshack.us/img378/6788/t46jf.jpg







the good news is, all this projects have large pre-lets and the demand is increasing aswell. despite having the highest vacancy rate in history of the city, it still is much lower than the rate of most american or asian cities.

frankfurt had extremly low vanacy rates for decades - so the current vacancy rate is being percieved as extremly high - but in other cities this has been normal for years and no one is complaining. it's a bit like the whole situation in germany: moaning at a high level.

Excellent design!!!. I love it.

It's an really amazing project which an excellent design, only the white facade doesn't do it for me, but perhaps they change it.

Here is a nice video to download (English):

http://www.frankfurthochvier.de/DATA/movies/FrankfurtHoch4_en.mpeg



Here another air picture showing the huge areal, including the former Newspaper areal (marked with red) HD mentioned going to be demolished in January. Langhof Architects located in Berlin are already finetuning there design.

http://www.deutsches-architektur-forum.de/Galerie/data/504/ffhvdaf.jpg

Picture made in August.
Please, no further use without permission of the copyright holder, thank You.

Great project for Frankfurt!!

This aerial is nice :happy:

sorry newfvgffm, I didn't know it's your picture. I found it at the google picture search. I remove it.

great aerial by the way.

thx very much HD!

Here is a great link with actual Pictures directly from the building site:

http://forum.bauforum24.biz/index.php?showtopic=3617&st=240

current status of construction:

http://img476.imageshack.us/img476/8617/ffhv19vd.jpg

Cool diagram thanks!

Nice diagram, thanks :okay:

current statuts: construction of a giant concrete plate at ground level started (they're at the supporting walls right now) - once completed this will enable the construction of the towers and digging the floors below ground at the same time.

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/3705/fhv12sf.jpg
http://img110.imageshack.us/img110/6233/fhv21yh.jpg
http://img110.imageshack.us/img110/1566/fhv31af.jpg
http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/6843/fhv42wc.jpg

very creative diagram+impressive updates.

Construction Status in May 2006:

http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/2631/forum520061vw.jpg


The foundation is nearly finished, the cap is being constructed at a depth of 6-8 m.
When finished they will build simultaniously downwards under the cap (5 Floors, parking Lot) and upwards starting with the shopping Forum and the taller tower. These are my latest informations.

Pictures:
Here u see the excavation pit of the office Tower with its baseplate:

http://img390.imageshack.us/img390/3200/ffhv10ha.jpg

Here an overview of the site, the former Rundschau Buildings are gone by now, soon we will see something rising over Frankfurt... :)

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/4876/ffhv29cr.jpg

Quite fast progress, good!!

^^ fast progress? You are not difficult!

Thanks again for the update :)

From Saturday
http://i6.tinypic.com/1z2j9yc.jpg

Good update, thanks

So slowly :ohno:

in deutschland dauern die arbeiten immer voll lang....

it always takes long to break ground, especially for such a huge and complex project, but once construction reaches ground level things will move quicker.

Dies somebody know what will be built on the place of the Rundschau-Building??

langhof architect from berlin is currently designing this project. the current masterplan only allows a building of around 35m height (approx. 9 floors). langhof already designed a building for the site during the design competition for the frankfurthochvier, but I think langhof is designing something new for the site. the old design looked like this:

http://www.langhof.com/deutsch/pr_134/bilder/134_rund_01.jpg
http://www.langhof.com/deutsch/pr_134/bilder/134_rund_02.jpg

source: http://www.langhof.com

What happened to this proposal?
http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/8431/9503c6lh0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

who designed this?

now that is some building

loosk funny

photos from this sunday

http://img330.imageshack.us/img330/9357/ffhv1hc2.jpg

http://img303.imageshack.us/img303/16/ffhv2xy3.jpg

http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/9206/ffhv3lk2.jpg


soon it will go up...

nice shots, but i'll see it rising :).

The best thing of everything is the aptitude to join with harmony the contemporary style with the classic one.

From yesterday
http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/2757/img6885wz5.jpg

http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/8184/img6884xf8.jpg

thank you tom, great shots

Looks like they are endlich ready to pour some concrete :)

a model of the project from the expo real

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/2622/ffhv3re7bb5.jpg

http://img79.imageshack.us/img79/9318/ffhv4jl8cs5.jpg

:eek2::eek::eek2: Frankfurt is one of the greatest cities in Germany and in Europe, it's wonderful this project that the city wants to develop, and the investment is incredible 1 billion $, but I have a question when this project will be finished.

the opening date is september 1, 2008

two photos of the construction from today, on a glorious summerday end of october, thanks to global warming

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/8146/y1nd2.jpg
http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/8780/y2ev3.jpg

good progress

progress, finally

http://img427.imageshack.us/img427/7007/q1cm7.jpg
http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/1006/q6ak7.jpg
http://img427.imageshack.us/img427/8776/q2bw7.jpg
http://img154.imageshack.us/img154/6518/q4wd2.jpg
http://img92.imageshack.us/img92/2250/q5ny1.jpg
http://img92.imageshack.us/img92/3195/q7dc4.jpg
http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/885/q8rs6.jpg

great pic's thank a lot

nice updates ... anyone know the date of the skyscraperfestival frankfurt 2007??? just so by the way ...

very impressive design!!

nice updates ... anyone know the date of the skyscraperfestival frankfurt 2007??? just so by the way ...

may 12 + 13

http://www.wolkenkratzerfestival.de/

This has made quite a bit of progress since I went to Frankfurt in the summer. They were digging holes in the ground still when I was there. The renders look fantastic but wouldnt it block that old tower from the Ziel and also the viewing platform on the Zielgalerie will lose visitors. Whilst the views are good from there, it will be blocked by this 90 metre tower. Anyway, the palace looks great and lets hope this thing shoots up. Frankfurt needs these towers.

The view will be blocked, but only slightly and only in one direction. You will still be able to see the banking district with all the skyscrapers and the old town, aswell as the zeil area.

Here is a photo from the german forum showing the project and the location of it:

http://img122.imageshack.us/img122/4844/f1cj6.jpg

A little explanation: the red cross is the project FrankfurtHochVier, the yellow crosses are other current projects, the white crosses show other skyscraper projects (I couldn't mark all, some are behind others)

http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/4565/f2uk7.jpg

that skyline looks great but Frankfurt needs a lot more skyscrapers between 100m and 300m

03.01.07

http://img131.imageshack.us/img131/7143/img2217hb9.jpg

http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/8923/img2218oz7.jpg

http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/8581/img2242eo8.jpg

http://img131.imageshack.us/img131/2696/img2260lg3.jpg

http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/1897/img2262xr7.jpg

cool, starting to rise now :)

Is there an updated version available of this?

current status of construction:

http://img476.imageshack.us/img476/8617/ffhv19vd.jpg

Just love this design!! Thanks for updates.

cool, starting to rise now :)

finally. it's pissing me off how slowly things were moving up until now. I don't know how they want to manage to open the whole thing on sept. 1, 2008...

some interesting news: the project will be joined by three more towers in the immediate vicinity - all three residential towers with heights up to 100m - creating a new cluster in the city.

Thanks for the announcement, BMXican. I am surprised to hear that the construction of these residential towers can already be counted as "secure". I, however, regret that one of the biggest English movie theaters in Germany, the Turm Palast, has to close to make room. Not only was it very well visited and had an unusual charm, it was also a real cultural jewel for the large international crowd in Frankfurt (i.e., ECB, the big int'l law firms/banks, etc) to which I count myself. The city of Frankfurt should quickly find a new venue for an international movie theater in the heart of the city, otherwise a lot of people will be very disappointed.

some interesting news: the project will be joined by three more towers in the immediate vicinity - all three residential towers with heights up to 100m - creating a new cluster in the city.

great to hear that :)

This is very good news. Cant wait to see first renderings.

it took long but now it's going fast - the cranes are looming over most parts of the low-rise eastern city center - it is surprising from where in the city the towers will be visible.

http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/8573/fh41ol6.jpg
http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/6387/fh42wj2.jpg
http://img473.imageshack.us/img473/6594/fh43sv2.jpg

amazing progress

28.04.2007

http://i13.tinypic.com/2zy8u4y.jpg

http://i19.tinypic.com/2h4me5c.jpg

http://i16.tinypic.com/4dmihb7.jpg

http://i11.tinypic.com/44g1udc.jpg

http://i19.tinypic.com/453cjz4.jpg

thanks! greeat that you can see it now from the zeil rising

thx for update
the hotel-tower is growing up now ,too :banana:

great update. this is absolutely huge. it's amazing from which parts of the city you can see the cranes ... this project will loom over some parts of the old town ... these two towers and the 3 neighbouring proposed towers will change this part of the city dramatically.

Damn this is a great building, GO frankfurt!

Great, that has made some good progress

Is there an updated version available of this?

unfortunately not :ohno:

12.05.2007
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/221/496701744_293a5463b2_b.jpg

This complex is going to have a huge impact on the city. The architects are really talented.

nice project! ;)

Thanks for the update! Btw., it appears that a main contractor for the taller office tower has been found and already signed, so the construction should start very soon. The bad news are that the smaller hotel tower will follow one year later.

Looks great! well done :)

Taken yesterday:

http://207.44.228.231/marin/0013052007.jpg

amazing photo! :cheers:

that's a huge construction site. can't wait to see the towers rising.

Another one from last weekend:
http://i14.tinypic.com/4ko021v.jpg

seems good :cheers:

awesome photos, guys!

the last one shows a totally new perspective. was it taken from the eurotower?

^Yes, that was probably the most difficult tower to access during the festival. Too bad that they sealed off two boardrooms on the top floor, because they had the best views.

Little Maintower Update:

http://img461.imageshack.us/img461/5746/fhv1qo0.th.jpg (http://img461.imageshack.us/my.php?image=fhv1qo0.jpg)

Just to give u a little hint, until now, excavation pit, demolition, underground floors have cost 350 Million Euro...

this probably includes the costs for the land, doesn't it? this alone is something like 240 million €, I believe.

great pic, this project will change this part of town totally, along with 3 other proposed towers in the area.

update from today


http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/9409/a1pf4.jpg
http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/5030/a2kc0.jpg
http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/9996/a3nd8.jpg
http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/9038/a4vj8.jpg
http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/3811/a5uo0.jpg

Update of last Friday from Maintower. The part with the mall now gets clearly visible from there. As could be seen in the middle left of the second picture, the office tower is just before to reach the street level. So it won't take long til we see it rising. In the meanwhile there is a main tenant, ABN amro, who will move into the office tower. Also the recladding of the department store surrounded by this development is underway.

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6663313536373330.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3438666162376364.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6630343665653333.jpg
pics: cystillfi

Good for Frankfurt!

ABN amro, who will move into the office tower. Also the recladding of the department store surrounded by this development is underway.

good news, only ABN AMRO bank soon will be Barclays, don't know if that has any influence on the tennants.

As far as I know it is still not clear if it will be Barclays or that consortium around RBS. According to the FAZ, a very reliable newspaper, it isn't yet confirmed that ABN Amro (or successors) will move into the tower, but if they mention at all that it is probable, it normally will happen like this. We will see.

One thing probably will change, the logo at top of the building :D

Update from last Friday, again from the Maintower observation deck. The office tower has now completly reached the street level.

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6138646431376638.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3961363161663637.jpg
pics: cystillfi

rising quite good now :)

Yes, its going up now after the realy slow and depressing start.

I guess the office tower will reach its final height by April 2008.

It felt like ages...

Main problem was that they started construction in the middle of the pit, while building the upper levels of the underground parking they were still digging the hole for the lower levels. The foundation slab for the towers couldn't be started before the ground was reached. But even knowing this it doesn't help in being patient...

Well, from now on it will get a bit faster - thank god :banana:

yes, it really took a long time to reach the street level. :applause: I hope they finish 1 floor per week by now :cheers:

that would be a good speed

The rest of the ground floor gets poured right now...

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6162623034343464.jpg
source: bauserve webcam

when you look at the project from the university tower you see a sea of cranes (along with the cranes of projects like park tower or opernturm) looming over the city - maybe someone could take a picture of the view from there.

when you look at the project from the university tower you see a sea of cranes (along with the cranes of projects like park tower or opernturm) looming over the city - maybe someone could take a picture of the view from there.
hmm sounds good ... Auftrag erkannt? ... =)

And after handing over the place to the construction company for the tower, the core is now rising overground. :) :)

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6435386234666463.jpg
source: bauserve

many thx, well progress :)

good to see the tower rising now. :cheers:

hmm sounds good ... Auftrag erkannt? ... =)


the view is just awesome.

progress:
-the shopping center has not topped out yet, there are some floors missing,
the office towers begins to rise, the hotel tower and the palace wont rise before 2008.

http://img264.imageshack.us/img264/9731/ff5hf1.jpg

http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/838/ff1up3.jpg
http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/354/ff2il8.jpg
http://img486.imageshack.us/img486/5818/ff3vk4.jpg
http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/8025/ff4bb0.jpg

Awesome progress! The concrete flows :cucumber:

hmm sounds good ... Auftrag erkannt? ... =)
the view is just awesome.


I believe you, guys, but I simply have no time for going there, maybe in 3 weeks, when I'm back and still have a few days off...

http://img486.imageshack.us/img486/5818/ff3vk4.jpg

The pilings right next to the crane are slightly leaning and mirror already the future shape of the tower at this point. In the meanwhile it's a real pleasure to follow this development. :okay:

There are some renders and pictures from the official homepage (http://www.frankfurthochvier.de) of the project that hadn't been shown yet till now (or only in the small versions). I'm goin to retrieve that immediately ;)

So here we go:

A quite simple site plan for a better overview
http://img251.imageshack.us/img251/8467/frankfurthoch4lageplanjt0.jpg

General renders of the whole project

FrankfurtHoch4 "at night" (looks a bit strange thu) :colgate:
http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/5905/frankfurthoch4nachtrendwb8.jpg

Areal render
http://img112.imageshack.us/img112/4145/frankfurthoch4ra3.jpg

http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/5238/frankfurthoch4ztagansicjx3.jpg

Palais Thurn und Taxis

http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/9707/frankfurthoch4palaishk5.jpg

View on the top of the building. You can see the roof terrace and the courtayard - both accommodate a luxurious restaurant. Until I can afford a grand menu-meal up there, I simply enjoy the grand beauty ;)
http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/508/frankfurthoch4palaisdrauq7.jpg

On top of the terrace
http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/6999/frankfurthoch4palaisresyr5.jpg

The stunning great hall (and also expansive conference room) of the restaurant
http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/6471/frankfurthoch4palaisresfz5.jpg

http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/632/frankfurthoch4palaisverxp3.jpg

Office Tower

From outside - it's goin to be 125m high
http://img260.imageshack.us/img260/1812/frankfurthoch4tower1ak7.jpg

http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/9818/frankfurthoch4tower2df2.jpg

The interior (not the final designs atm):

The lobby
http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/3514/frankfurthoch4towerlobbpc1.jpg

http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/3817/frankfurthoch4towerlobbsc1.jpg

The offices
http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/7013/frankfurthoch4towerbuertz6.jpg

http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/4605/frankfurthoch4towerbuerdj7.jpg

http://img265.imageshack.us/img265/4504/frankfurthoch4towerbuerug9.jpg

http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/9010/frankfurthoch4towerbuerxt3.jpg

The conference floor
http://img112.imageshack.us/img112/19/frankfurthoch4towerkonfns0.jpg

Hotel Tower

The interior pics are just like mindmaps til now, so I'll don't show u them - the Hotel tower will be the last part that is finished, so mayor details could change in the meanwhile.

From outside (You can also see this one on the general renderings of the whole project)
http://img260.imageshack.us/img260/3917/frankfurthoch4hotelze5.jpg

Shopping Mall

Outside
http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/3521/frankfurthoch4shoppingcos3.jpg

http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/3926/frankfurthoch4shoppingcxm8.jpg

Inside (quite funny signatures above the stores ;))
http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/418/frankfurthoch4shoppingcrn0.jpg

http://img265.imageshack.us/img265/430/frankfurthoch4shoppingcwj3.jpg

http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/8966/frankfurthoch4shoppingcfd0.jpg

http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/8388/frankfurthoch4shoppingcwz8.jpg

http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/6977/frankfurthoch4shoppingckt0.jpg

http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/4491/frankfurthoch4shoppingcuc2.jpg


That's it for now. I'm really excited 'bout this project, it's goin to improve Germany's revenue-strongest shopping street, the Zeil, quite a lot :cheers:

great renders, never seen them before. thx erbsenzähler :)

Not for that ;) Maybe I should support the cart-load of pictures with some fresh impression of the construction site:

Bird's view
http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/5291/frankfurthoch4webcam1xe8.jpg

The shopping Mall
http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/6195/frankfurthoch4webcam2li9.jpg

The other parts along together
http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/7963/frankfurthoch4webcam3hl3.jpg

http://img260.imageshack.us/img260/7558/frankfurthoch4webcam4mh8.jpg

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/4615/frankfurthoch4webcam5oc2.jpg

Seems like they're really hurrying up to complete dat baby till the end of 2008 :)

Ok, and here some homegrown pic's, from Maintower...

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3838663636313231.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6435663461356332.jpg
pics: cystillfi

thanks. looks gigantic.

I just discovered that not only the office building will have a overhanging part, but also the hotel tower (facing the shopping center).

so cool!

what is the story with the building to the left?

Well the building to the left is occupying one of the most important internet nodes in the world. Even if looking totally displaced, it will be of contignous high importance, as just prooved with this post :D.

A bit more to left there will be a nice re-developement of the former (and famous) Frankfurter-Rundschau building, one of the major local and national newspapers...

Finally its going up

Time for an update, even when the progress is moderate. On the other side two weeks for one level is average in the base area of a tower. The Pics are as usual taken from the Maintower observation deck.

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6239363632326334.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3032633337616334.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3731343164373334.jpg
Pics: cystillfi

he he, sounds funny. it don't usually think of this when I think of an IT-Player, but i guess it must be fun to work there.:nuts: :lol:

thx for updating us

some progress - thanks

Lil question: Had someone already published, which shops will move into the new shopping centre at Frankfurt^4?
I'm hopin not to see any kinda H&M, Saturn, New Yorker, Zara or call me what over there... :)

Hmm just on the opposite side of the Zeil there is a Saturn a H and M and a New Yorker, so I doubt they will open a second store neyt door ^^

Lil question: Had someone already published, which shops will move into the new shopping centre at Frankfurt^4?
I'm hopin not to see any kinda H&M, Saturn, New Yorker, Zara or call me what over there... :)

dont try to speak like a n***a...ossi!

As fare as I know, there will be a Saturn, Fitness company and Parfümerie Albrecht.

But thats the infor from July.

http://www.faz.net/s/RubBEFA4EA6A59441D98AC2EC17C392932A/Doc~E74D76498EB0143EBB3BBABF8D86949FE~ATpl~Ecommon~Scontent.html

The Saturn on the other side of the Zeil might therefore close as it is too small anyway.

OMH, I talk like I want to. What does that relate to n***as? It's just shorter, spicier and more comfortable to write like that.

Now jerk off by looking at your snobish province lunat.

Oh, before I forget about it: Cordial thanks for the replies.
Btw, does anybody know what's going on with the Hako-building and the Esprit-outlet beside it on the opposite of FFH4? They don't used to look quite appealing to me while I've visited your boomtown ;)

Monthly top rent for a front side shop will be at 500 Euros/sqm or more. There - at least - we have to expect branches of the big chains.

dont try to speak like a n***a...ossi!

What's the problem with you?

This mall rocks

According to last week's Frankfurter Rundschau (Sep 28) Saturn Hansa will have a three story store (with more than 100 employees), Anson's will be at least two story, S.Oliver will be of similar size (3 stories). Fitness Company will have the entire top floor. 60% of the 90 stores are now already filled up (with a total of 52000 sqm). A total of 800 people are expected to work in the shops and another 1800 in the office tower. The shops are still scheduled to open the fall of 2008 (which means construction is on schedule). Also, the supermarket Rewe will open its first big outlet in the city area.

The Thurn & Taxis Palais, which is currently being completely reconstructed for the first time since WWII, will be the home to upscale stores and boutiques (none of which have been disclosed), as well as a cafe and a restaurant.

The hotel tower will be 4 stars or upwards, although there is still no tenant yet (Hyatt? Ritz-Carlton?).

There will be three to-be-named "representative stores" (each 100 sqm) facing the Zeil with €500/sqm, which is supposedly the highest commercial rent for Germany at the moment (according to Steffen Höhn, marketing director of MAB/Bouwfonds). The operators of the mall want chains that are new to Frankfurt/Germany/Europe (meaning about 50% of the stores should hail from this category). I am hoping for smth in the direction of Galeries Lafayette or a Virgin Megastore, which both have chains in Berlin.

Regarding the Hako and Esprit builings, there will be changes for sure given the radical pace at which the rest of the Hauptwache is transforming itself.

Thanks, for the info. Hope they tear down the Hako building.

Also here a quick look at the office tower's status as of last Sunday.

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3864363166343761.jpg
pic: cystillfi

I am hoping for smth in the direction of Galeries Lafayette or a Virgin Megastore, which both have chains in Berlin.


I really love this project and a Galleries Lafayette would be awesome but there are no plans!? I love the branch in Berlin! Are there any plans for other Galeries Lafayette's in Germany/Europe?

When will this Zeil-project be finished?...it doesn't look like they are able to complete this project in 2008, right?

yeah, looks like there is a delay until 2009.

and there were plans for a galeries lafayette in frankfurt in the 90s ... dunno if they're still pursuing this.

Quick Update from last Friday. After the difficult part with the entrance hall construction seems to speed up. But as it stays difficult compared with Opernturm in terms of leaning elements and changing floor plans it will not get the same speed.

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3637376639363631.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3737353737663834.jpg
pics: cystillfi

Must be a complex project in terms of logistics right in the heart of the shopping center, where many big shops with their own logistics there as well. We have a project like that in Rotterdam now but much smaller, with the same problem.

This webcam shows the current status from a greater distance:
http://frankfurthochvier.de/webcam/ffmh4_01.jpg

And you may find some closer additional webcams there, always up-to-date: Click me, I'm a link! (http://www.bauserve.net/index.php?id=25&L=1)

Would be nice if someone could also make an update with a digital cam, photos therewith are quite a difference quality-wise. :)

By the by, are there any news on the tenants of the shopping center? And which hotel chain (?) will actually move into the hotel tower? To complete my question time: What about the office tower? Is there an anchor tenant?

I didn't read anything on that the last weeks. I'm not sure if this may already been answered. But I'd would be glad if someone could just summarize the responses on my questions right here ;)

Looks great! Realy nice progress!

yes, its going up now.

i was there today!
its now taller than frankfurt rundschau!

Let's look at the FrankfurtHochVier development now :) It doesn't show the rapid speed the OpernTurm does, but that's due to the complicated situation around the construction site. The progress is quite imposing nonetheless!

But have a look for yourself (the pictures are from the German DAF-user Ahligator btw):

The office tower today
http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/237/20071111fhv1sa0.jpg

http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/3861/20071111fhv2kk4.jpg

The shopping center
http://img469.imageshack.us/img469/3429/frahoch4071107ktn7.jpg

http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/4553/20071111fhv3rr7.jpg

I can't await the final look of this complex, I'm excited like a rugrat :)

Thanks for keeping me updated :)

Let's leap ahead with some additional impressions made by Gizmo23 (German DAF (http://www.deutsches-architektur-forum.de/forum/showthread.php?t=3007&page=31) forumer). Here we go:

http://img6.myimg.de/Hoch41bc924.jpg

http://img6.myimg.de/Hoch423c5b5.jpg

http://img6.myimg.de/Hoch438c96b.jpg

http://img6.myimg.de/Hoch443c60f.jpg

http://img6.myimg.de/Hoch45ee212.jpg

http://img6.myimg.de/Hoch463074b.jpg

http://img6.myimg.de/Hoch471b3f9.jpg

It slowly takes shape, I'm lovin' it :hug:

Kmuffi: "it's now taller than the Frankfurt Rundschau" :lol: :okay:

Actually anything in this world is taller than the (former) Frankfurter-Rundschau building (which has already been demolished last year). ;)


Also here on top the Maintower view from last Sunday.

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3465636238323839.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3938373237363534.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3664663130383839.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3635616234323839.jpg


Btw, since yesterday a second crane is in use for the tower's construction.

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6432656563326438.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3234323563353565.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3338356663393735.jpg
Pics: cystillfi


And last not least a new render out of German hotel newspaper (http://www.ahgz.de/regional-und-lokal/Megaprojekt-Betreiber,472007,711252380.html) (credits to Schmittchen for finding), which also includes the lowrises being built instead of the former Rundschau buildings.

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6365633561366231.jpg
source: aghz

cool! when will they start with the second tower?

about the render. does it show the final design of the rundschau areal?

By the by, are there any news on the tenants of the shopping center? And which hotel chain (?) will actually move into the hotel tower? To complete my question time: What about the office tower? Is there an anchor tenant?

Regarding tenants for shopping center: Check out post #158; the guideline seems to be that about 50% of the stores are to be names not yet represented in Germany or Frankfurt. More than 2/3 of the spaces are likely to have been filled by now.

Regarding hotel tower tenant: Talks are still ongoing with a final result scheduled for the end of this year. Ritz-Charlton, Sol Melia and NH Hotels are some of the names, showing that it will be a hotel in the 4-5 star category. The height will be 90 m with 284 rooms total.

Regarding tenants for the office tower: ABN Amro will use half the office space (42,000 sqm) of this 33-story building (130 m) to be completed by January 2009. Other tenants are not yet disclosed.

Can some1 tell me when this is supposed to be finished?

^ C'mon, it's written right on the 1st page... It'll be completed at the end of 2008.

By the way, the office tower looks like this today:

http://img240.imageshack.us/img240/9418/20071124fhvqa3.jpg

(Picture made by Ahligator from the DAF (http://www.deutsches-architektur-forum.de/forum/showthread.php?p=157534#post157534))

Let's look at something different today. I'm going to show you something of the inner construction site.

Those pictures are made by FrankfurterBub of the DAF (http://www.deutsches-architektur-forum.de/forum/showthread.php?t=3007&page=32) (What else? We've got only lazy members here, except CyStillFi maybe ;)).

Here we go:

Frankfurts prospective longest escalator - consisting of 4 segments, each with a weight of 6 tons!
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/25/5342225/1280_6633346566383564.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/25/5342225/1280_3036623361626536.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/25/5342225/1280_3064366337386264.jpg

Material usage to brace the structure:

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/25/5342225/1280_6436366535383637.jpg

The first massive steel parts for the "funnel" are attached now:

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/25/5342225/1280_3634313330353538.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/25/5342225/1280_3434383634343733.jpg


Some additional pictures which show the interesting christmassy illumination of the cranes at Frankfurt Hoch Vier:

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/25/5342225/1280_6232303433356332.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/25/5342225/1280_3366333661353261.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/25/5342225/1280_3962363334663863.jpg
Cozy eh?


Would be great if someone else could come across
and update this thread from time to time :colgate:

hey im not lazy
i get the updates for selmi highrise :D
...nice escalator

And last not least a new render out of German hotel newspaper (http://www.ahgz.de/regional-und-lokal/Megaprojekt-Betreiber,472007,711252380.html) (credits to Schmittchen for finding), which also includes the lowrises being built instead of the former Rundschau buildings.

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6365633561366231.jpg
source: aghz

wow, I really like this one. and the rundschau-development looks nice too. it looks like they added 3 floors to it though ...


great updates, guys!

ya...but it looks taller than 125 meters in the model .....lets say 140 maybe

many of the latest sources implied the taller tower would be 130m.

Time for an update. The structural work on the mall is almost completed. In the meanwhile main contractors have been found for the hotel tower and also for the palace to be reconstructed. Contruction start is imminent.

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3837336632396136.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3339356464636265.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6330633438323438.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3264326464396666.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6231613763393632.jpg
pics: cystillfi

Amazing construction! Love it when something is build between 2 or more old buildings!

great update. the complexity of this project is amazing. and the most interesting parts of the construction didn't even began yet.

thx CYstillFI, great update :)

Just for the protocol. Height of the office tower will 130m + spires, hotel tower 99m. Construction drawings (newfvgffm;)) definitly confirm that heights.

http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/3774/new28mz.jpg

Btw. the building to be demolished for this project was modelled after a famous building in the US. Any idea, which one?


better late than never, eh? :D

seems to me that it had been influenced by the famous schlesinger & mayer department store in chicago by louis h. sullivan (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Sullivan).

http://www.usc.edu/dept/architecture/slide/ghirardo/CD3/007-CD3.jpg

Just for the protocol. Height of the office tower will 130m + spires, hotel tower 99m. Construction drawings (newfvgffm;)) definitly confirm that heights.



time to change the thread title.

Jarmo K: I can see the resemblance. shame its gone now.

Just for the protocol. Height of the office tower will 130m + spires, hotel tower 99m. Construction drawings (newfvgffm;)) definitly confirm that heights.

cool, hope it is a spire and not an antenna

amazing building

Fresh pictures by Franky, DAF (http://www.deutsches-architektur-forum.de/forum/showthread.php?t=3007&page=33)

Shopping Center at FrankfurtHochVier as seen from the U/C OfficeTower (they're going to install the facade on this tower in 7 weeks btw)
Quite sloping columns ;)
http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/3198/1002388sp8lr2.jpg

As a reminder: Some renders of the shopping center
http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/3521/frankfurthoch4shoppingcos3.jpg

http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/418/frankfurthoch4shoppingcrn0.jpg

http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/4491/frankfurthoch4shoppingcuc2.jpg




And finally something's going on here as well:

Palais Thurn & Taxis - which will be a reconstruction of the historical city castle/palais that stood at this place.
You can easily notice the buildings' footprint now, first walls are going up

http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/1111/1002389ph6ap6.jpg

http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/2637/1002390hv7bg3.jpg



Comparison: Renders and old photographs of the Palais

http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/508/frankfurthoch4palaisdrauq7.jpg

With the office tower to the left + hotel tower right
http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/9707/frankfurthoch4palaishk5.jpg

Portal at the street
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/97/Frankfurt_Palais_Thurn_und_Taxis_Portal.jpg/746px-Frankfurt_Palais_Thurn_und_Taxis_Portal.jpg

Café on the portal-terrace
http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/6999/frankfurthoch4palaisresyr5.jpg

Courtyard - 'Corps de Logis'
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/67/Frankfurt_Palais_Thurn_und_Taxis_Corps_de_Logis.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/89/Frankfurt-Palais_Thurn_und_Taxis-Hoffront.gif/800px-Frankfurt-Palais_Thurn_und_Taxis-Hoffront.gif


The other side of the Palais - the rotunda
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d9/Frankfurt_Palais_Thurn_und_Taxis_Rotunde.jpg/408px-Frankfurt_Palais_Thurn_und_Taxis_Rotunde.jpg

Drawings of the rotunda (front + side aspect)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/44/Frankfurt-Palais_Thurn_und_Taxis-Gartenfront.gif/800px-Frankfurt-Palais_Thurn_und_Taxis-Gartenfront.gif

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/59/Frankfurt-Palais_Thurn_und_Taxis-Schnitt_a-b.gif/800px-Frankfurt-Palais_Thurn_und_Taxis-Schnitt_a-b.gif


This room will definetely come back!
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/aa/Frankfurt_Palais_Thurn_und_Taxis_Kuppelsaal.jpg/762px-Frankfurt_Palais_Thurn_und_Taxis_Kuppelsaal.jpg

^It's the pompous 'Kuppelsaal' (cupola room), which will be used as a restaurant and a conference room
http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/6471/frankfurthoch4palaisresfz5.jpg

http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/632/frankfurthoch4palaisverxp3.jpg


Perhaps they're going to reconstruct some additional rooms (like this (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a1/Frankfurt_Palais_Thurn_und_Taxis_Treppenhaus_Erster_Stock.jpg/220px-Frankfurt_Palais_Thurn_und_Taxis_Treppenhaus_Erster_Stock.jpg), this (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/73/Frankfurt_Palais_Thurn_und_Taxis_Vestib%C3%BCl.jpg/632px-Frankfurt_Palais_Thurn_und_Taxis_Vestib%C3%BCl.jpg), this (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8c/Frankfurt_Palais_Thurn_und_Taxis_Treppenhaus.jpg/442px-Frankfurt_Palais_Thurn_und_Taxis_Treppenhaus.jpg) or this (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1e/Frankfurt_Palais_Thurn_und_Taxis_Gartensaal.jpg) ;))
Well, at least I hope so.

i really have to visit frankfurt this year :)

This city looks awesome. Its an unique combination of the old and modern architecture. It's impressive.

Slowly but steadily its going up :)

nice project , can't wait for all the other towers starting this or next year.

Last Friday (mhh... more like Saturday in the early morning :P ) i happened to be in Frankfurt and went to the construction site to take a picture....
It's a little bit blurry but it looks somehow impressive at night... :nuts::nuts::nuts::nuts:


http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/6373/p1010828zy8.jpg

16.02.2008

http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/9812/mg3296vg7.jpg

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/4959/mg3298kw1.jpg

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/9402/mg3323tm1.jpg

Looks like the construction is definitely accelerating.

the complexity of this project is amazing

idkblk: Last Friday (mhh... more like Saturday in the early morning :P ) i happened to be in Frankfurt and went to the construction site to take a picture....
It's a little bit blurry but it looks somehow impressive at night...


Probably not only the photo was blury at that time ;)

Thanks for the update, Tom. On the second pic you can also see the palace u/c now. They also started the hotel tower in the meanwhile. :banana:

really amazing project!

an amzing project for an amazing skyline :okay:

The project got new name since today: Palais Quartier (Palace quarter). Not sure if I really like. The mall is rent 65 %, the tower 33%. The mall will open Feb. 26th 2009, the office tower and the hotel will be finished in the third quarter of 2009.

Seems that we have to change the thread title, even if I am not sure if the old name will stay probably more in the mind of public.

yew, the new name sucks ... palais quartier :ohno:

we should also change the height of the office tower to 130m

edit: fnp says its 135m tall ... what the hell?

costs went up ~ 20%

weird name, not that what i expected

the costs went up from 800 million euros to 960 million euros (thats over 1.4 bn us dollars) - that's crazy

Yep, almost 1 Billlion Euros (!). But just one project of that size. AirRail Center 800 Millions, ECB Skytower almost 500 Millions, UEC including Grand Hyatt and PwC tower 1.2 Billion Euros, and so on and so on... :nuts::nuts::nuts:

For the moment I would go for the 130 Meters as this is known from the construction drawings from newfvgffm.

By the way, the name of the project is now : PalaisQuartier.
Someone should add it to the thread title...thx

2 fresh renderings available (source: bouwfonds mab development)

Office Tower
http://i28.tinypic.com/2me97nr.jpg

Shopping Mall
http://i30.tinypic.com/wqsi9c.jpg

the shopping mall looks really cool in the renders :)

the office tower too. looks like the spires are gone though ...

Shopping Mall
http://i30.tinypic.com/wqsi9c.jpg

Interesting... reminds just a little the New Milano Rho Fiera (fair) by Fuksas Architect.

That's because the shopping center was also designed by Fuksas.

Looks clean yet detailed, i like it.

That's because the shopping center was also designed by Fuksas.

Oh, now i see why...

the office tower too. looks like the spires are gone though ...

looks better without spires. ^^

What `s the name of the low-rise next to the palais in front of the tower . The new "Rundschauhaus " ?

I'm not sure there is a name for this yet

http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/875/vvgq7.jpg
http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/6166/vvvuc8.jpg
http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/7669/vvvvpj0.jpg

Looks alright and reminds me a bit of the 'Hackesches Quartier' project in Berlin.

FFH4 was the better name, but who cares about that anyhow?
The project looks promising and this is what counts as well.

Hmmh, the office tower seems to grow... The new official page (http://www.bouwfondsmab.de/) is now mentioning 136 Meters... :D

cool, taller than i expected :cheers:

another quite promising render of the former rundschau areal and the office tower

http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/9471/bild1ee1.jpg :banana:

Hmmh, the office tower seems to grow... The new official page (http://www.bouwfondsmab.de/) is now mentioning 136 Meters... :D

oh not again! :| I just asked one of the admins to change the height to 130m two days ago and now it's taller again? with 136m it's as tall as gallileo or kaiserkarree ... quite big for the area ...

great tower,i really like this project! if it will be 136 m it would be really great because IMO Franfurt needs more highrises in that area(innenstadt/zeil) and generally outside the Bankenviertel.Also it would be cool if they would build some residential highrises in Frankfurt,but i don't really see that happening.

there are two residential towers planned right next to this project alone. but it seems investors prefer to earn money with offices.

there are two residential towers planned right next to this project alone. but it seems investors prefer to earn money with offices.

They only plan one tower now, because a second tower would spoil the skyline view of an already existing tower.

source: german architecture forum
http://www.deutsches-architektur-forum.de/forum/showthread.php?t=5649&page=3

Chaps, Maintower update from yesterday. The crane which rise with the tower (most left one) has been climbed and has been linked to the tower for the first time. There will be second link later on. Finally it will rise up to 144 Meters. The crane right hand in front of tower will be removed soon. Also remarkable is the progress on the palace being recontructed.

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6432343538346364.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3864646330356463.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6139373033666132.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6238626235646361.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3661303739336665.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3735346638363865.jpg
Pics: cystillfi

thx for the update :)

making a good progress now, core is clearly visible now :)

very good photos! it looks like they start the hanging part of the office tower now ..

Thanks and - indeed - they do, exiting type of construction! :)

The number of cranes is impressive, looks cool!

Update from Tuesday. In the meanwhile they started cladding of the shopping center. Unfortunatly I didn't have the time to make a photo of this. It's quite interesting to see how the overhanging part will statically be constructed and how the first floor(s) will be mounted upwards.

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3430653131356661.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3533386230303731.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3235363861306663.jpg


The palace becomes its southern wing.

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3365303966346564.jpg


And some impressions when passing this place by car.

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6331666437303065.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3836303364383333.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3361336562616566.jpg
pics: cystillfi

Great update, thanks. :)

how can you compare this project with the SWFC :lol:??

thanks for the update


new pics:

http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/4708/ad1om0.jpg
http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/8009/ad2nz1.jpg

Ok, guys, time for an update of exceptional nature...

Last Wednesday I had the oportunity to visit this construction area combined with a presentation of this project and a guided tour hitting some major spots all over this place. I hope the following pictures give an idea about the complexity and the real size of this development. Actually it is the biggest inner city re-development within (at least) Germany and bigger than once the one of Potsdammer Platz in Berlin. At least it is with almost 1 Billion Euro's much more expensive... :D


However, let's start with those views which are accessable to everybody and pictures of the model in the marketing area of MAB on the 5th floor a building opposite to the office tower side...

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3732636333336661.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3030366339333033.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6231316133383337.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6165373138646239.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3030613738376464.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3766306436643434.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3132663738613666.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6463346431383333.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3761613733346666.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3732646338366262.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3332303638633061.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6630623164376532.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3763373939393834.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3737323534313236.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6330313833373333.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6539366637393338.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6264316261636132.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6166613464306533.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6163616630323934.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6135633664626537.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3636653661633462.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3331613736303033.jpg


Here some views over the construction area from that 4. level opposite. First picture shows the construction start of the drive down to the 6 level underground parking, the second the reconstruction of the Palais Thurn and Taxis, the third the progress on the hotel tower and the last the office tower.

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3232303338303338.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3630393461666532.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3636346161366531.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3431393530613464.jpg
pics: cyfi

...guided tour follows...

And now the guided tour...
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3730623238613364.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6662353362383034.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3537383133376165.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6538613166373438.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6362633832316130.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3263333261613862.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6362323432353032.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6662633664643363.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6232303530336237.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6332306264326430.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6233343162373336.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3630636365313061.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6665336532643133.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6631633532643133.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3638393463376264.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3664636236333733.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3631656130386232.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3066363561396337.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6435656539303134.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3030626165313135.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3262626465343963.jpg

[http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6432383362386364.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3337306536653661.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3933323665323137.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3536393664393532.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6462623331313830.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6263393065653530.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3335323065623565.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3235306266663661.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3363363231306338.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3031323839623032.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3339313530343730.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3866383737376365.jpg
pics: cyfi

fantastic pictures. so many new perspectives. this project coulnd't possibly be more complicated.

this view is just amazing:

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3630636365313061.jpg

:applause:, many thx CYstillFI!

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6539366637393338.jpg



hmm ... there will be a waterfall on rainy days above the entrance to the shopping mall hehe ... and if that is the entrance, then they should change it, it looks like a railwaystation

I see some people on the picture don't like the building.. :hilarious

hmm ... there will be a waterfall on rainy days above the entrance to the shopping mall hehe ... and if that is the entrance, then they should change it, it looks like a railwaystation

that's one of two entrances - the other one is at the palace.

Pics from yesterday
http://i32.tinypic.com/v32kb7.jpg

http://i29.tinypic.com/2cdxrow.jpg

http://i26.tinypic.com/15s8tck.jpg

http://i26.tinypic.com/jqnrbl.jpg

http://i26.tinypic.com/qpo2nc.jpg

http://i27.tinypic.com/2qkmflh.jpg

cool, already facade :)...many thx tom!

thanks for the update. the office tower looks like 10 floors now. any idea how tall the hotel tower is now?

http://img123.imageshack.us/img123/6376/dscn7840od7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/9503/dscn7905vb2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img123.imageshack.us/img123/7585/dscn7927zd9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Pics are mine.

Thanks again CityHai! The updating fraction is extending by the minute ;)

If I may add some shots by CyFi (DAF (http://www.deutsches-architektur-forum.de/forum/showthread.php?t=3007&page=41)) - taken from the MainTower:

http://www.deutsches-architektur-forum.de/forum/pics/cyfi/FFHV_080503_1.jpg

http://www.deutsches-architektur-forum.de/forum/pics/cyfi/FFHV_080503_2.jpg

http://www.deutsches-architektur-forum.de/forum/pics/cyfi/FFHV_080503_3.jpg

http://www.deutsches-architektur-forum.de/forum/pics/cyfi/FFHV_080503_4.jpg

http://www.deutsches-architektur-forum.de/forum/pics/cyfi/FFHV_080503_5.jpg

http://www.deutsches-architektur-forum.de/forum/pics/cyfi/FFHV_080503_6.jpg

And one from the Goetheturm (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goethe_Tower) (Goethe Tower)
http://www.deutsches-architektur-forum.de/forum/pics/cyfi/FFHV_080509-1.jpg

There are also some fresh renderings of the shopping mall interior - found by ponzi at the architects homepage (Massimiliano Fuksas - http://www.fuksas.it/). Just go to "Projects > MAB Zeil", you may find some other renders and a video clip as well.

http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/8057/fuksas1aw3.jpg
source: Massimiliano Fuksas

http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/9002/fuksas2gl0.jpg
source: Massimiliano Fuksas


And a bulk of additional views showing the undergoing construction - taken by Gizmo23 (DAF (http://www.deutsches-architektur-forum.de/forum/showthread.php?t=3007&page=42)):

http://www.deutsches-architektur-forum.de/forum/pics/gizmo23/PQ-30.jpg

http://www.deutsches-architektur-forum.de/forum/pics/gizmo23/PQ-31.jpg

http://www.deutsches-architektur-forum.de/forum/pics/gizmo23/PQ-32.jpg

http://www.deutsches-architektur-forum.de/forum/pics/gizmo23/PQ-33.jpg

http://www.deutsches-architektur-forum.de/forum/pics/gizmo23/PQ-34.jpg

http://www.deutsches-architektur-forum.de/forum/pics/gizmo23/PQ-35.jpg

http://www.deutsches-architektur-forum.de/forum/pics/gizmo23/PQ-36.jpg

http://www.deutsches-architektur-forum.de/forum/pics/gizmo23/PQ-37.jpg

http://www.deutsches-architektur-forum.de/forum/pics/gizmo23/PQ-38.jpg

http://www.deutsches-architektur-forum.de/forum/pics/gizmo23/PQ-39.jpg

http://www.deutsches-architektur-forum.de/forum/pics/gizmo23/PQ-40.jpg