FRANKFURT:

OpernTurm (170m)

STATS:

Type: Office tower

OpernTurm 170m, 44 floors

Size:

· Gross Floor Space above ground: 72,500 sq m
· Parking: 570 cars


Location: Opernplatz (Opera Square)

Architect: Prof. Mäckler (Frankfurt) www.chm.de

Developer: Tishman Speyer (New York) http://www.tishmanspeyer.com/

Tenant: Union Bank of Switzerland (UBS)

Date of completion: 2010

Website: www.opernturm.de


Facts:

· Replacing the Zürichhaus (19fl) and a second tower (17fl), one of Frankfurt’s first highrise buildings after World War II..
· Panorama lounge on floors 43 and 44



Photos:


http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3136393265313232.jpg

http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/9181/planqa2.jpg
Used with permission of Magbeam, www.deutsches-architektur-forum.de

http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/9515/modellschraegbn0.jpg
Used with permission of Magbeam, www.deutsches-architektur-forum.de

http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/5346/modellgesamt2sq9.jpg
Used with permission of Magbeam, www.deutsches-architektur-forum.de

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/9804/renderingnachtsem0.jpg
Used with permission of Magbeam, www.deutsches-architektur-forum.de

http://img477.imageshack.us/img477/2158/opernturm0ix.jpg
Bild: Scan from the FAZ, Mäckler Architekten

http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/7859/luftbild1df5.jpg
Used with permission of Magbeam, www.deutsches-architektur-forum.de



EDIT:we decided to add a second project to this thread - the ParkTower ( 115m | 29 fl | U/C ), which is located literally next to the OpernTurm but doesn't need a separate thread

i dont like it..

it may not be a great design, but it's fairly tall and a great skyline filler ;)

and it will compliment the neighbouring park tower (also under construction, can be seen in the last picture)

I like the design. I think the materials used in the construction are pretty important though. If done on the cheap this could end up looking pretty bad.

They'll put yellow sand stone on it. I like this box ;)

fantastic, they've started construction.

Quality beats hight - go frankfurt!

Can`t wait to see this tower when construction endet!
I`m glad that not all new towers are full of glass.

Great news and I didn´t have any doubts about this project being started once, but on the other side it was really a painful time til that.

This will be one of the projects which will be much better looking than its renderings, models, visualizations or what ever. And I can just highlight the last comment.

it all comes down to the cladding. I guess it will be similar to the park tower facade - anyone know, if they started with the cladding there?

http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/2667/ptxh7.jpg



from certain perspectives the opernturm (and the neighbouring park tower) will be visible behind the cathedral...not sure, this is good.

http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/5523/1fk6.jpg
http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/638/11tz6.jpg

I hope the allianz-proposal goes ahead aswell, it's a missing link between this project and the main cluster

http://img184.imageshack.us/img184/4886/12ej3.jpg

^
Great Simulations, like them a lot.
Cladding at the neighboring Parktower has already begun:


http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/2750/tec4rp3.jpg

http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/6721/tec5fk5.jpg

Pictures: newfvgffm

Ordinarily...

Finally construction has started. I am very curious about the general appearence when finished. It is the first tower in frankfurt with a sand stone facade. This will allow superperb illuminations at night.

I wish the old design back! It was much more beautiful and less boring!
The new design is horrible!

I don´t like it, at least the renderings dont help...

Tenant: Union Bank of Switzerland (UBS)


no... just UBS please. Union Bank of Switzerland is not existing anymore since the merger (or takeover from ;)) Swiss Bank Corporation.

anyway, i like the tower. not to much wannabe modern and not to cold.

A new high quality tower for Frankfurt as usual!

Wow, this will really extend the skyline then. Not overly keen on the design but I am sure it will work great with my second favourite city! Cladding looks great too. When did construction start?

A new high quality tower for Frankfurt as usual!

I would say it's far behind Frankfurt usual standards

Well I'm glad that we won't see a deconstructive or glass tower next to the Opera.

I like those german designs :)

I think it will look much better than at the renderings in the end. It will perfectly fit into the surrounding with the Opera house and the new Park Tower

it looks kind a cool

boring, looks like its designed for 1965....but frankfurt still owns, one of the best cities I been to.

interesting news concerning the project: it looks like UBS (sorry aspirin ;) ) is going to occupy the entire tower - not only 60% as initially planned.

bauhaus-germany is home to modern architecture - I wouldn't really say the style lacks creativity - it's just looks plain in comparison to some of the adventurous designs of today. some buildings have a striking design, but then after completion the facade or the materials ruin it. in this case I'm going to bet it will be the other way round - the details are important. it will be a very high standard facade. it must be - for this very important location - just opposite the most beautiful building in the city, the old opera, surrounded by some of the most beautiful prewar houses.

It looks like this Rotterdam tower called the Coopvaart

http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/7889/coopvaert20060908def0.jpg

I like it

^^
Well, the middle part really could be a good example about what the facade (not the entire tower) will be looking like.

8 of 10 is quite a good rating, especially when looking just at this tower itself, as it is nothing special as a stand alone building. But looking at this project within its context, it is something very special. Beside its signal effect for other projects in Frankfurt...

Some fotos from today which I made from the Maintower observation deck. The first one also gives a good picture about the already mentioned Parktower development in the direct neighbourhood (to right right in the picture).

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3932613331333435.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6666383866353330.jpg

can't belive that this tower will be built!!!

with kindly permission of CYstillFI - a simulation of the opernturm and the neighbouring park tower


http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/9529/otbi6.jpg
http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/2664/ot2tf2.jpg

the view will change dramatically. actually, the tower will be thicker, I think.

Great job, BMXican!

And as this picture initially wasn't really meant to be a draft for such a simulation, you have to consider that the roof of Opernturm will catch up with that of smaller part of the Maintower building being seen in the lower right corner of this picture. It really will be a massive addition to this part of Frankfurts city center/banking district skyline! :okay:

Well done BMX

It will take ages before something will start to rise but i am still extreme happy that my beloved city gets a new tall skyscraper. The Main Tower will be perfect to whatch the construction.

very ordinary

Looks a little boring

An attractive addition to Frankfurt's already impressive skyline. Except for the mere size of the structure, I am glad it does not contrast with the opera building in terms of surface texture. I hope there will be room to host a hotel, which would provide great views of the Alte Oper, but perhaps there will not be enough room with UBS as the main tenant??

03.01.07

http://img50.imageshack.us/img50/3198/img2228vm1.jpg

http://img50.imageshack.us/img50/6079/img2192jq1.jpg

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/9642/img2195om0.jpg

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/3668/img2201jw4.jpg

Last pic is great, thanks!

wow, good progress. thank you tom :)

cool. do you have a photo of the neighbouring park tower construction?

from July 11th (last year) on emporis: http://www.emporis.com/en/il/pc/?id=251710&aid=19&sro=1&yr=2006&mt=7

from July 11th (last year) on emporis: http://www.emporis.com/en/il/pc/?id=251710&aid=19&sro=1&yr=2006&mt=7

I think he want to see some newer pics.

How about some pics from last saturady? ;)

http://img256.imageshack.us/img256/5505/img2198yy4.jpg

http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/5705/img2204hb7.jpg

http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/2107/img2215qh4.jpg

http://img256.imageshack.us/img256/1909/img2227mb7.jpg

has it topped out actually?

has it topped out actually?

No.
But i don`t know how much is left. Maybe just the roof.
http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/6972/img2226tc7.jpg

thanks for the photos tom! looks like parkt tower hasn't topped out yet. the entire north wing has still to grow at least 11 floors - it will be slightly taller than the current - almost topped out - south wing.

marco polo: people from frankfurt are happy they're not getting another glas box. stone clad buildings look more elegant, than glas clad buildings, and they're more appropriate for the location. it's beyong me how a very slim and narrow tower can be called heavy. but ok...every1 has his own opinion.

i was there today,i upload later a few pics from tower and dixie

Hurry up bigboy I cant wait :banana:

ther are some pics comig @ other threaD

it looks like the park tower is finally reaching it's final height. it looks so massive now. it can't imagine how opernturm next door will look like with almost 55 meters more in height.

I like it.it has a simple but modern design .

looks sweet i like it!!!!!!

^^ Me too

^^Me don't :D
It won't add anything to Frankfurt skyline IMO.

A big filler, not a killer.
Its handsome, in any case. :okay:

something new?
when do they start towards sky?

that'll still take some time

here you can see the latest pics from April 5th: http://www.deutsches-architektur-forum.de/forum/showthread.php?t=5624&page=2
sorry that i don't post them, i'm not allowed to do this

28.04.2007

http://i19.tinypic.com/34do780.jpg

http://i16.tinypic.com/2z5rip2.jpg

http://i13.tinypic.com/300607b.jpg

http://i12.tinypic.com/2nqqnwh.jpg

http://i19.tinypic.com/4icuvt5.jpg

Thanks alot for the update. Hope that it goes up at the end of the year.

this location is really good but I hate this tower; poor shape...

i hope so

lol, what is this ad for?

http://i13.tinypic.com/300607b.jpg

two old guys kissing each other and the text says "everybody with everybody"

btt: thanks for the update!

the two old guys represent the former leaders of the Soviet Union and the German Democratic Republic oder GDR (DDR), dont they?

lol, what is this ad for?



two old guys kissing each other and the text says "everybody with everybody"

btt: thanks for the update!


:D

http://i14.tinypic.com/477xp94.jpg

:rofl:

its the kiss between honecker and Brezhnew

it was portraid quite often

http://meike-wulf.homepage.t-online.de/assets/images/kiss.jpg

is it true that this and other projects in frankfurt are delayed because there is a shortage of construction materials and cranes?

The actual problems with this project are due to the unexpected resistant ground plate of the old tower. This will delay the schedule maybe for around two weeks. Normally street level should be reached by August and from then the tower should rise visibly by one level per week. How far this project is hit by shortness of materials is hard to say as the planning started quite early and contracters have already signed (Which is the exact problem mentioned by HD, none of the main constructors wants to sign for such a project due to unpredictable costs for certain materials as for facades and insulating, this is the case with the FFHV towers. There is still enough material, but at its costs). And by the way, concrete is still enough available...

It is a nice, tall building, but i don't like the materials they re going to use for it.

any pics of the park tower construction next door?

Well, BMXican, here some pics from about two weeks ago including samples of the cladding...

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3739656135336633.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3962613362383462.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3863653233303037.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3839356366356663.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3863616636343034.jpg


...and some pics from last Friday, the final height has not yet been reached, but we are getting close to it:

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6361313162303562.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3836303662376265.jpg


And last not least a comparism as seen from Goetheturm from April 2006 and April 2007.

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6432643162616363.jpg
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6631396361643732.jpg


And here (http://www.deutsches-architektur-forum.de/forum/pics/cyfi/Parktower_Goetheturm_1.gif) the animated version of the two pics above. :)


Please note: this link is exclusivly for this thread and must not be copied to other threads of forums, Thanks!
All Pics and Animation: (c) CYstillFI

And here are my pics. :)
http://i14.tinypic.com/2h6si6r.jpg

http://i16.tinypic.com/3y5puuc.jpg

http://i18.tinypic.com/2v333x0.jpg

http://i12.tinypic.com/48r1h8z.jpg

thanks guys. looks like there was minimal progress since last update. I wonder why it takes longer to finish the top ...

For those who are interested, here a small update from today. The foundation of the former Zürichhochhaus gives up resistence and excavation works speed up again. Also the foundation for the first big construction crane is underway, the first element has been fixed in the area of the future low rise building right opposite the old opera.

Here some impressions:

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6536333939356164.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6461393634636432.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3561383333336139.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3663376538303633.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3963326532356361.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3033643066346634.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3432356464663661.jpg

Pic's: CYstillFI

And those who will be in Frankfurt this weekend for the "Wolkenkratzerfestival" I can just recommend to visit this site. It's worth to have a look at it.

Thx for the update, I will definatly have a look at it on sunday while im on the Skyscraperfestival yeehaa ! =)

Thanks. Frankfurt is slowly getting there...

finally an update, thanks! the hole looks really big.

amazing progress since the last update!

Parktower (12.05.2007):

http://207.44.228.231/marin/Parktower_12052007.jpg

that thread is about the opern turm ;). but u can post it in the german section :)

actually we had a couple of updates on the parktower here aswell, because it's just next to opernturm and it's not worth to create a separate thread ;)

I would suggest we change the title of the thread to

FRANKFURT | OpernTurm | 170m | 44 fl | U/C | ParkTower | 115m | 29 fl | U/C


(similar to the double thread of the paris projects tour t1 and tour granite) (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=185181)

or so :), good idea

In which Thread of the German section, ZZ-II? Parktower, or was it also Opernturm? :naughty: Unfortunatly the Parktower doesn't have it's own thread, and through it's immediate vicinity, even contiguity, all updates concerning this project have more or less been dealt within this thread, just have a look a few posts before ;)

Btw., Marin, thanks for the nice pic!

Edit: Oops, too late... :D Agree with your proposal, HD, good idea!

I live in Frankfurt but that tower is only boring :ohno:

Nice, that you live in Frankfurt (even if I don't want to know where), but how can you judge about a tower, where nobody has a final idea of, what it will be looking like? I know that in ME steel and glas is favorized but that doesn't fit here! As there is no final render online, how do you come your conclusion???

you have to admit: it does look rather simple, when you look at the rendering.

I don't understand, why a company like tishman speyer doesn't publish some decent renderings of this project. having said that ... most towers turn out to look different than in the rendering, so it doesn't matter too much anyway.

one thing is sure - this tower will brighten up the skyline - together with the neighbouring parktower project - most towers in frankfurt are dark, or glas-clad.

Yes, I admit, from the known renders it looks boring. And it is really a shame that for such a project no actual render somehow has been presented up to now. The render on the architects site is years old and the one provided on TS home page has been revised and significantly changed at least for two, three and probably for more times. The tower has been more accentuated in its vertical appearence. Somehow this is typical for Mäckler, but I am surprised regarding TS. What a pity!

Btw. some new pictures from today. The excavation works reaches its lowest level in the southwest end of the towers foundation and the tops of the ground pilings are now visible.

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6436356565646439.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6266653536343139.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3635383664306339.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3365313339653733.jpg

Great Update Cyfistill, those ground pilings are huge!

Nice update I will surely check in on this more often!

great pics, thx

the construction site looks like a mess - on CYstillFI's pics it looks like the lowrise element will rise first.

about the parktower: on marin's pic in post #90 it looks as if the tower hasn't topped out yet - is it possible that construction somehow slowed down recently? why does it take so long to finish it?

Parktower hasn't topped out yet. There are still some Meters to go, even the middle part, as seen on Marin's pic, has not its final height. The only explanation I have is that the floorplan has changed for the top part.

Regarding the low rises of the Opernturm, I don't think that this one will rise first. The former ground plate of Zürich led to some delay, but I'm pretty sure, not for such a significant one. It is planned to be on street level with entire structure by August this year. From there we will see the tower rising by one level each week. So, keep confident!

On a German engineers news site bauingenieur24.de (http://www.bauingenieur24.de) an article (http://www.bauingenieur24.de/fachbeitraege/bauprojekte/1832.htm) was published on 18th of May regarding the main developer/contracter Ed. Züblin AG which signed for building the entire tower. And finally, what a surprise, there was also a new render/visualization (http://www.bauingenieur24.de/sharedpics/pics_news/1832_1.jpg) available.

Here a comparism between the one presented July 2006 and the new one:

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3735646562316239.jpg
Pic's: Mäckler Architekten, Ed. Züblin AG

Thankyou, looks much better now, looks even higher after pointing out the vertical lines in the design, very good.
Even the lowrises look better now, i guess they will look like the torhaus westhafen when talking about the facade:
http://www.chm.de/de/torhaus.html

The excavation pit is huge! meanwhile as i could see today...

great progress!

agree, the new one looks better

I second that.

Parktower Update, still 1 or 2 floors...but now its going fast:

http://img464.imageshack.us/img464/5697/pt1ks3.th.jpg (http://img464.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pt1ks3.jpg)

http://img464.imageshack.us/img464/1915/pt2la1.th.jpg (http://img464.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pt2la1.jpg)

Opernturm:
Also, the webcam ist now active, visit: http://www.opernturm.com/swf/ and click on webcam or http://opernturm.dnsalias.net/cgi-bin/guestimage.html
Nice direct niew from the neighboring BHF Tower.

http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/5746/opt1dx3.th.jpg (http://img408.imageshack.us/my.php?image=opt1dx3.jpg)

And again this year they refurnished the unused upper deck of a parking lot to a beach area with amazing views of the skyline:

http://img50.imageshack.us/img50/9141/pd1qw5.th.jpg (http://img50.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pd1qw5.jpg)

Great, that you retrieved your camera, newfvgffm, I was already worrying. Nice to see the pictures from Maintower, especially regarding the Parktower it doesn't make sense at present to give updates from the ground.

Since today there is also a webcam active with up to 3 fps which is obviously installed on the top of the BHF-Turm --> Opernturm WebCam (http://opernturm.dnsalias.net/cgi-bin/guestimage.html).

Since the late afternoon there is a concrete pump active preparing a clean basis for the imminent reinforcement works for the foundation slab. It is really speeding up now...

I like the new version. I'm still missing larger detailed renderings though.

I hope the parktower will soon top out and the cladding becomes visible.

it's great to see that there is a webcam for this project. it will be amazing to see the opernturm rising - you can hardly imagine that opernturm will be almost twice as high as the location of the webcam.

is that "citybeach" again on the last pic?

Its so sad that the Developer Tishman Speyer does not release proper Renderings, even on the architects site is still shown the old model for zurich insurance. Pretty bad PR in my opinion.
I am sure they have other renderings, they just are not releasing them, even on the Homepage of the project is not a single rendering...:lol:

With frankfurthochvier its the same shame...no proper renderings for the public, bad webseite, bad PR.

Yes BMXican, i Guess its called citybeach, looed quite fine, at least from the air...

No, "city beach" shall be opened at different place, P&C car parking near Zeil, but I have no clou which building could be meant. This one now is called "Long Island Summer Lounge" with Ardi Goldman as investor and Nikos Gatzias as caterer behind.

And BMXican - not almost - it will more than twice as high... ;)

That quick the situation can change. Here some new pic's of Parktower and from street level. It's the first time that the new part of the tower overtops the old one. As it is looking now it gives a good idea of what the tower would have been looked like following the first version.

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3765643634303435.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3761643136663965.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6439656435653863.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3238316336346261.jpg

Pic's: CYstillFI

this is a nice smart building. well done frankfurt :)

Thanks, hella good! (And nice to see that you ,finally, also get your first "real" scyscraper in Sheffield. :) )

And as I was anyway around the corner here an update on the Opernturm construction site. I hope I am not boring too much, but I find the details at this phase of the project quite exiting. And compared to other projects here in Frankfurt its amazing how good and simple you get a view offered to them. Later on we will "just" be counting the floors.

The excavation of the pit in the area of the future tower will be finished within the next week and the ground will be paved over in preparation for the steel reinforcement of the foundation slab. Probably the steel reinfrocement works will already then have started in the south west of the area. In the first picture you can see the base element of another construction crane which will find its foundation in the indentation as seen in the mid of the second picture. As it will be part of the towers foundation slab we come to the conclusion that we will see another crane right opposite to the first one rising soon with the tower.

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6161303839356337.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3631653030326539.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6534386438353133.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3538363030643430.jpg

Steel reinforcments works in the southwest corner for the lowrise building...

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3832316630643866.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3633313530656233.jpg

Here a small excavotor pounding the concrete top ends of the ground pilings in order to expose its rods which will be bounded into the steel frame of the ground plates reinforcement.

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3639643734326437.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3331623639346535.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3737633166353637.jpg

And finally the same view as last week for a comparism...

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6462643330383131.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6134386162643833.jpg

Very well done and u are not boring at all. Great to see this fast progress on the site. Have seen it today by myself, the excavation pit is huge, those pillings are huge too...

good progress

you'r opinion ;), i love the skyscrapers in frankfurt.

great updates. parktower looks like it has finally reached the full height.

the construction site of opernturm looks better and better every day - and less chaotic too.

great building

On a German engineers news site bauingenieur24.de (http://www.bauingenieur24.de) an article (http://www.bauingenieur24.de/fachbeitraege/bauprojekte/1832.htm) was published on 18th of May regarding the main developer/contracter Ed. Züblin AG which signed for building the entire tower. And finally, what a surprise, there was also a new render/visualization (http://www.bauingenieur24.de/sharedpics/pics_news/1832_1.jpg) available.

Here a comparism between the one presented July 2006 and the new one:

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3735646562316239.jpg
Pic's: Mäckler Architekten, Ed. Züblin AG

Better and more playing with the detail.

Concerning the 115m Parktower there is a new rendering:

visit please: http://www.tectumtower.de/content/de/referenzen/01/parktower_01.html

Great news! Hope there will be something more to see on the construction site soon eh ;)

i prefer the white one.... pretty nice building.....

Well discovered, newfvgffm, now the first rendering is matching the second and third on that site. There was always a small discrepancy between them, especially regarding top edges and facade of the new part with stone cladding. Though I liked it more before the wavelike structure had been flattend.

I'm not sure I like the yellow color. I hope it doesn't turn out so dark.

The accentuation of the plumb line is great!

just a wonderful tower :)

Is nice! Is not a special tower but is very nice. :)

Quick weekly update on this construction.

Not a lot of news regarding the Parktower develoment. On the back side of the site you could find the piles and bars for the steel and glas contruction building the top of the old part of the tower as seen in the new render provided by newfvgffm some posts before.

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3333323039613130.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3663656363633432.jpg

Regarding the Opernturm development there had been huge progress but not that far as been expected from my side end of last week. Nevertheless it is close to it...

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3237383635633934.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3564656162383434.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3264366438613865.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3630663236316336.jpg

indeed, great progress!

The foundation for the second tower crane has been poured :)

Not really, it just looks so. They covered the steel with some grey plastic. This one will probably poured with the foundation slab. :)

really? I also would have thought that this is for a second crane.

great update btw. can't wait to see the parktower facade.

King Crunch, it looks as you were right regarding the second crane foundation being poured in the meanwhile. But they also covered the top with some plastic. I judged that just through the web cam at that time. :)

BMXican, for sure it is for the second crane, but it seems to be quite far part of the slab when once finished. Btw., heard from someone in another forum, who is working on that construction site, that the crane will finally reach the height of 200 meters.

Here an update from this morning.

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3736613532353161.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6466306330396532.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6237623037363664.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3361383639396262.jpg

On the "back" side's edge of the pit they are building a construction for different facade samples, with light blue and light green glas and different sand stone elements. There should have been a third one, unfortunatly it had an accident. Also a well informed source stated that this not for the tower, but a kind facade surounding of the pit, and that Mr. Speyer will come personally the next days in order to select one of them. Sounds anyhow funny, but we will see... :)

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6135633437393666.jpg

And in big (http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3533333266373331.jpg).

And the lost one.

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3161666634323737.jpg

Probably they have hurry up now... :D

Pics: cystillfi

nice. this is going to be the most attractive construction fence ever - I hope this is not the only reason for mr speyer's visit.

I hope they are going to put some facade samples up there aswell soon.

Yep, and by the way, the first part of the second construction crane been installed today. Here some pics from the webcam...

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6338636135376336.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6164323237306330.jpg
source: opernturm webcam

And, what I forgot yesterday, Parktower has reached its final height, also the steel construction has been moved to top of the old part.

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3230356438333133.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3136613065663862.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6430313130373131.jpg
pics: cystillfi

that was quick. looks like the crane is already taller than the webcam location. :cheers:

parktower looks good. hope to see the cladding soon.

indeed, the tower crane looks very tall!

yes, but it's only the angle of the webcam, in reality this first ielement is something between 50 and 60 meters in the moment, and 200 at the end. Guess they have to adjust soon :D

the crane is already visible from many areas in the westend

Update from last rainy Friday evening. The facade samples are now complete and I can't imagine that those are just for the fence. Not the best light, but the colours are quite authentic and you can also take the low rise of the Parktower on the left or the old opera in the background for comparism. The middle one seems to be for the wide side of the tower, the other two the narrow side of the tower or the low rise. The rest is a guess...

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3732633031663431.jpg

The area of the low rise...

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3039393862383538.jpg

The second crane...

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3766666530343139.jpg

Also the back part of the pit where the underground parking will be built is getting cleared now. In the foreground massive reinfrocement works for the foundation slab...

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3763623135623862.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3934323231316131.jpg

Base elements for two other cranes...

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6238616436386638.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6363616363653966.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3862653930613461.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6533666133376163.jpg

i agree with u cyfistill, i also guess the facade examples are showing all the future used facade styles, very nice.

And vey good update! Thx for keeping us uptodate with those :)

This is going to be a beautiful facade!

I am really curious for which one they will finally decide. The tower is nothing spectacular, but at this place with this vicinity it is a great project. I love it. And it is the first scyscrapers I personally can see rising in real life. :okay:

what is also very interesting is that on the site of the company providing the facade ( http://www.josef-gartner.com/aktuelles.html ), that they start cladding already in march 2008, so i guess until that the tower will be erected completly.
The finish of the cladding is said to be april 2009, the total cladding area is 38.000 m2 (highrise alone).

For comparism the facade of the Skyper ( http://www.emporis.com/ge/wm/bu/?id=101357 ) has a total area of 22.000 m2.

Its going to be a massive tower.

Hmmh, I read somewhere before in this thread that they will be at ground level by August probably end of August. Then it should rise one level per week. So it should be at level 30-32 at beginning of March. At least the tower will be quite far before they start cladding it. :)

I am really curious for which one they will finally decide. The tower is nothing spectacular, but at this place with this vicinity it is a great project. I love it. And it is the first scyscrapers I personally can see rising in real life. :okay:

i can't see it in real life unfortunately but this one is the first german skyscraper i watch from the beginning :)

Quite impressive figures, newfvgffm, especially if one keep in mind that the difference in height is not that significant. 154 to 170 Meters and 22.000 to 38.000 sqm. It just must be massive. And I can remember well the two of us on the hunt for best pic's of the latest developments back in 2003 when Skyper was at this state. :D

Also level 30 to 32 reached beginning of March sounds quite reasonable.:)

And I can remember well the two of us on the hunt for best pic's of the latest developments back in 2003 when Skyper was at this state. :D

I remember that too, it was always fun :)

i thought it would be about 178-180 meters high..
still fucking impressive numbers compared to skyper :banana:

In the meanwhile they started working 24 hours...

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3632316433353661.jpg
source: Opernturm webcam

Quick update from last Friday. The pit is almost completly cleared, and another crane founds its position. There will be five of them. The second has a height of 80 meters from ground and the first one will get as assumed another top part and will also rise with the tower.

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6231363032333863.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6361666361366531.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6636663337346339.jpg


Works for the steel reinforcement have reached the north end of the future foundation slab. Currently they are cultivating a small pond in the middle, hope they don't want to settle frogs there. :D

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6432353538643436.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3566393034386565.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3161303632626333.jpg


And finally an overview from the Maintower observation deck.

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3066326165373964.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3533353865316161.jpg



And a quick view to the Parktower. The roof is still missing.

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6361313964633739.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6564363564396365.jpg
pics: cystillfi

Thanks for the update :)

There are rumors that there will be also a penthouse apartment in this tower which Mr. Speyer wants to use himself. It should also have a pool, but I guess he does not want to use the elevator to the basement to go for swimming. ;)

Thanks for the update. :)

Indeed, a fantastic update! I'll go there in August, hope I have the time to follow the call of the building site and enjoy eased watching while these builders have to do their arduous work :D

great update, as i can see on the webcam from today they're prepairing the core

It won't be long until they poure the towers slab, end of July is planned. It will be up to 3 meters thick and about 6.000 cubic meters of concrete and 1.700 tons of steel will be used for it. That means about 700 of concrete trucks will deliver this non-stop over probably two days. 36 hours were mentioned in a local newspaper, which sounds quite tight, but maybe they use more than one concrete pump, compared to others this place is well accessable. Will be really spectaclar, can't wait for it. :)

Soon the second tower crane with a final height of about 186m will be assembled (and later disassembled) by the first one.

In the lower left corner of this webcam picture you can see preparations for a fourth crane :)

http://www.king-krunch.de/opernturm_webcam_2007_06_29.jpg

And here a better picture of the preps for the fourth crane which probably will be installed this Friday, there will be another one installed middle of next week in the area of the low rise building.

The ramp has been reduced to a necessary minimum for now, except two all excavators have been removed. In the moment mostly steel workers are ruling this place. The steel reinforcement for the foundation makes huge progress. Some inofficial but obviously trustful sources state that the slab will be poured starting on Friday evening, 13th of July. The tower will rise with an average speed of 1 level per week, unfortunatly the 3 underground levels and the first 8 levels over ground will take approx. 2 weeks per level. After that when changing to the standard floor plan one level will take about 4-5 days in average. So the tower should be topping out in about one year from now.


http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6163323662336631.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3166633837336632.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3132616163333834.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3237333033613836.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3133623438636633.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6133343032363034.jpg


In the meanwhile they started errecting the frames of the construction fence. It will have windows and probably there will also be a gallery. Hopefully it will not disturb the view on this place too much...

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6632643637613430.jpg
pics: cystillfi

Good stuff. Thanks for this update, CY!

wow ... lot of steel ...

I really like this building, the desgin is great.

1 year of construction from now... Damn, sounds like a long thirsty time to me - but I cain't wait to see the final result :)

the construction site looks bigger than the actual result - part of what is construction site now will be turned into a park.

Update from last Friday. Cladding on the Parktower is close to be completed, also the technical installations getting covered by a simple type of roof.

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6438646233326331.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6536653438353363.jpg


At the Opernturm constrcution side the 4th crane has been assembled. Today another small crane was positioned in the corner area of the low building, obviously for logistic purposes as the low rise should not be build until the tower is finished.

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3933643237373832.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3234313162333334.jpg


Unfortunatly the construction fence will disturb substantially the view on the site. There are only a view elements with windows of awful transparency. :(

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6461363264366366.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3331363330386438.jpg


So let's enjoy those detailed pictures as we don't know what we find next week.

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3735396136383232.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3664633839623366.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6437623862636565.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3736393864393637.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3064376532333232.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3464346264393962.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3139613839633537.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6430333532333837.jpg


By the way, the probably youngest and most faithful Opernturm fan so far. His mother told me that they were visiting the construction site almost every day since start. :D

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6634623434646232.jpg


And last not least the site as seen from the Maintower...

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6435373633666639.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6266613534303436.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3835623738346438.jpg
pics: cystillfi

nice update, thx ... lovely kiddy ^^

nice update, ty :)

CYstillFI, I love your extensive updates :)
Feels like being there myself.

Seems like they have begun to pour the foundation

yes, i see it on the webcam

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/1806/op1rp3.jpg

you can see the trucks with concrete queuing up

@ King Crunch: Thanks a lot, but it also makes really fun.

There will be an update for this weekend, but there are so many pictures so that it will be probably tomorrow. At least they managed to finalize the slab within 48 hours. Tomorrow they will start with the construction of the underground floors, with two weeks delay. There were initially 5 weeks of delay but they managed to catch 3 in the meanwhile, the remaining two are still an issue as there is fixed date for completion and very tight schedule for building the highrise. Street level will be reached at end of August.

At the Parktower construction site the crane and the scaffolding will be disassembled from Wednesday next week. Can't wait to see the result. :D

Ready to rise :):

http://i18.tinypic.com/4zxc4r6.jpg

So, finally the fotos from this weekend. I had to gather some points at home before as I used up all credits for making the fotos. ;)

Since the last update the vertical connections between tower and slab have been incorporated into the steel body. On Friday 4:00pm a small additional pump was already in place on the remaining ramp of the pit. A second and bigger pump was moving into position.

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3236626434336231.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3933313262383539.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6230643430306337.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3961333139663439.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3862376434376465.jpg


At 4:45pm the first batch of concrete approached the pump and the mixture was adjusted.

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6632303364326237.jpg


The second truck was probably such exited that it was coming before it reached the point. :naughty:

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3161396562346436.jpg


A major problem was the available space to place the pumps. So there were some quite creative solutions found for giving the second pump enough enough stability. They used a scaffold with steel bars.

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6137353932663236.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6134396466323837.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3461303031346162.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3830633338616461.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6566396136333638.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3761316562343566.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6534653731663662.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3638376337623065.jpg


Around 7:00pm after main rush hour the third and strongest pump arrived. Unfortunatly I had to leave for this day.

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3832343732373831.jpg


Another problem was that the third pump had to be removed again on Saturday between 4:00pm and 11:00pm. This was another reason they ordered the small pump on the ramp. Initially there were only two pumps planned. When the big one was redeployed there were still missing 40cm in the north part and more than one meter in the south part.

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3337653565383762.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3033333033636464.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3232623231333138.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3764316336366235.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3130636266366231.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3664653933366661.jpg


Amazing what ever for cranes could be used. Here as a lamp holder.

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6362623262666431.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3463326437653832.jpg


And finally some fotos from Sunday early afternoon. At full blast they were finishing the surface layer as the big pump had to be removed again at 4pm.

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3730633132356666.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3564663831346434.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6330613630396131.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3162333562396434.jpg


And another creative solution with support of a crane for enlarging essentially the range of the second pump.

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6265373736633830.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6538643437373833.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3763393739373437.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3636643661363536.jpg


The finale after 48 hours of non-stop pouring and with temperatures of around 40°C in the day. On Monday, as already mentioned, they already started to work on the ground floors for the highrise.

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3837633265626239.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3066333836356237.jpg
pics: cystillfi

WOW! thx for that massive and wonderful update!!!

Yeah THx alot, really intelligent construction workers there XD

wow, you outdid yourself once again!
the webcam shows that they are already removing the ramp :)

Great stuff, smashing! :okay:

There is a site with amazing pictures from inside the "steel warren" of the slab, of course just before they poured it. :lol:

http://view.stern.de/v2/series/48554/

:banana: cool ... thx alot ...

Thanks guys. :)

That picture link reminds me that I forgot to dispose of my skeletons from the closet into the slab. Would have been a perfect place. :D

a new rendering of the highrise and lowrises have been put up at the site, very interesting the lowrises...
like it...

http://img489.imageshack.us/img489/5140/opernturmzy2.jpg

Just saw it in a mini version of a news article of Journal Frankfurt and tried to find a larger version somewhere on the net.

Now I did! Thank you! :D :okay:


Btw. who would have expected a round corner. And also, now the low rise will be built again over the whole side. I like it!

shame you can't see details.

looks like the 1930s modern skyscraper designs from mies van der rohe or the prewar skyscraper visions inspired by the bauhaus.

HD, not sure if this helps you, but being inspired by fvg i took some additonal pics this morning.

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6631663734373336.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6439633531323366.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6365613535373666.jpg




They also started uncovering the Parktower, at least the glas part up to now. And another positive surprise, the glas part is much more transparent as expected. So you see better the accentuation of the two bodies, simular to previous render.

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3235623234656566.jpg
pics: cystillfi

thx for the renders, looks wonderful!!

Nice render, thanks for posting. The lowrise could have come a lot worse but somehow it leaves to be desired (where is the classical touch?). The six-floor building looks too monotonous/commonplace for Frankfurt's nicest square. The tower, however, is a real eye-pleaser.

And finally there is one on the web site available, together with the surrounding buildings. But the structure of the low rise's cladding is not that clear visible though the colours are more realistic.

I really love it, especially seen in its context.

Here in => huge size. (http://www.opernturm.com/stuff/downloads/press/OpernTurm.jpg)

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3136393265313232.jpg

The official render looks great!

I just love the Opernturm - it matches perfect to the grand Old Opera and the renovated Parktower on the right. :cheers:

I like Operturn a lot. The masonry on the facade is a nod to the classical architecture of it's surroundings, while the glass and overall form are modern and simple. A great example of new-post-modernism that isn't overly deriverative.

Cute tower

Opernturms looks too classic

that classic design looks great, and will fit very good in the skyline

^ Agreed. Couldn't be better at this place, hope it will look like that in the last render. We'll see :cheer:

This tower in his classical design belongs to the location

Very tasteful tower! I am looking forward to watching the area when it's completed.

It's definitely a fairly simple and classic design, but I think it works.

And before those pics are completly outdated, here an update from last Friday. The first underground floor seems to take quite long being built, especially when looking at the most current situation where the progress since Friday isn't that huge. On the other hand it is hard to say as this floor is quite high. We will see middle/end of next week, latest then the first ceiling should be poured.

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3362336637633234.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3065613830306536.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3332356431303932.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3439633233303430.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3765373932353432.jpg
pics: cystillfi

Thanks CYFI, your updates always are a real pleasure :)
I also pursue ya construction picture series at the DAF (http://www.deutsches-architektur-forum.de/forum/showthread.php?t=5624&page=13) (German Architecture Forum) as often as I can, you make an excellent job mate!

Maybe someone could post impressions of the facade samples, I think that could also be interesting ;)

Parktower update: The first two pics have been taken 10 days ago. The cladding on the north side was already complete, as you might see on the rear edge and corners, but with scaffold still there.


http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3863633166326165.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3536373466663863.jpg


Since last week the scaffold is getting disassembled, at least at the north side. Here a first impression of the new buildings facade from last Friday.

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6437623433313433.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6332616135346339.jpg
pics: cystillfi

thanks cyfi nice updates

facade looks wonderful

facade looks wonderful

so true :bow:

Na ja, richtig :lol:

I like the facade as well. Thats Frankfurts first sandstone highrise. And Opernturm will be Frankfurts first sandstone skyscraper.

I am not really sure, if Japancenter and K26 haven't also a sand stone facade, but just in red, goschio. At least they are the first highrise and skyscraper with "classical" sand stone in this colour.

Here once again the Opernturm facade samples, probably shown the first time under the same light conditions as Parktower and the Old Opera and therefore comaparable.

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6234376234366339.jpg


And finally some pictures of the construction site from last two Fridays. Nothing new, as there had been enough useful updates at other places in the meanwhile, but unfortunatly not here and my time is extremly limited in the moment.

This was the status about 10 days ago:

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3738626466376262.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3361353061363862.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3938383864333334.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6433313935306335.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3165353366666265.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3736643238616366.jpg


And one week later the progress is steady but still slow. This is probably due to the problem of still very limited space for logistics as the foundation slab for the underground parking hasn't been completed yet. In the moment a bit less than one third is poured.
Prerations for the first ceiling/floor above the slab have started as you see from the yellow panels in the nothern part of the future tower. In the south part they still work on the pillars and walls. I can't help myself but I have the impression that the delay is increasing again.

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6565613630393831.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3638353136653332.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3463323863643132.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6466643138633464.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3338383866303839.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6130636436626166.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3161376236366535.jpg
pics: cystillfi

CYstillFI - your contributions are being missed

looks like the tower has reached 2 floors, or groundlevel ...

Sorry Chaps, but in the moment my time gets just lost for travelling around and coming home to get my clothes cleaned. Even the our dog starts barking as on a stranger when seeing me in the door... :(

Let's try to give a quick coherent update on this. After, let's say, a difficult start of the first underground floor the construction speeded up up significantly. The obvious delay was caused due to the missing logistic space onsite as the foundation for the underground parking was still not finished. In the meanwhile again it's really fun to visit the site frequently.

First some pic's from Fiday 8/24. At this time they were about finishing the top of the second underground floor in the nothern part of the tower. Also there were pouring the second last bit of the foundation slab of the underground parking.

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3866663465623261.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3338346237666161.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6663333863616336.jpg


Progress in the southwest corner of site... the first drive up could be recognized.

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3537323839613936.jpg


Progress in the area of the lowrise...

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6333373139326131.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3239623632383331.jpg


And this is big window at the main corner oposite to the Opernplatz which really offers a decent view on the construction place. On the other hand it seems already outdated as the contruction will have surpassed this level in a few weeks. :D

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3065363436313861.jpg


And a view from the south edge which normally is not accessable anymore. The inner piles carrying the loads equivalent to the core in the nothern part are really impressive. The steel used here has a diameter of more than 7 cm.

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6238333962373632.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3030326439633064.jpg



And now the status of last Friday (8/31). The slab is finished now. Only the connections to the tower are missing and will do so, until the towers has finally settled. The walls in the north are now reaching the street level.

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6162353933373536.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3732333366616636.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3239653064353365.jpg


The podium in the background will probably be for the ceremony of laying the foundation stone which should have started today at 16:00h.

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3833313366636136.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3435323834326536.jpg


A view through the big window of the construction fence.

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3239636162343362.jpg


And finally an awesome pic over the site with three concrete pumps in action.

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6135636339316463.jpg
pics: cystillfi


In the meanwhile the second tower crane has been raised and re-configurated. Pics will, hopefully, follow soon, also from Parktower unveiled.

I hope this compensates my absence here a bit. :)

nice update ... thx

that's what I call an update. thanks!

yeah, thank you for your efforts and keep up the good work!

this would be such a great building when finished!

Good evening mates :) I just wanna offer u some fresh new renders of the Opernturm. They're made by the fellow German DAF-Forum (http://www.deutsches-architektur-forum.de) member Schmittchen, who has blueprinted them from the building board at the construction side.

Enjoy all those great new renders from outside and -surprise surprise - the inside of the building! (http://www.deutsches-architektur-forum.de/forum/showpost.php?p=149190&postcount=243) :cheers:

wonderful!!!

Great Building for a great booming city!

I still think that a restaurant overlooking opera and skyline could potentially be one of the most stunning in Germany. The building is striking all the right chords, it could win lots of awards.

the tower looks fatter than I thought. not sure I like that.

but the roof terrace looks great!

i prefer the tower looking a bit "fatter" than being thin. the opernturm perfectly fits to it's neighbouring buildings especially parktower with some glass facade:cheers:

the tower looks fatter than I thought. not sure I like that.

but the roof terrace looks great!

if you look at the commerzbank on the night shots, you'll see that the whole picture must been stretched a bit ;) (i thought exactly the same when looking at the pics for the first time ;))

I agree with you Patrick, this was exactly my impression, the skylines shots look definitly slightly streched. As I have quite a good feeling for this things I am really confident that it will be less "fat" than one could expect from this renders.

Here the "online" version for SSC:

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6562656638376336.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6135313563383438.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6531373464326534.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3863643564393730.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6436373462346236.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6332663466663538.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3036393265336637.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3633343733393238.jpg
pics: cystillfi

wow, I especially like the lit crown.

Yes, HD, as in the good Frankfurt tradition and also completly new, see Commerzbank, Messeturm and Westend Str. 1 and sometimes also Maintower, when the Restaurant is completely lighted. :)

Thankyou CYstillFI, i hope that u don't mind that i tried to correct some of the pics, now it should look more like reality, a little bit transformed...

http://img128.imageshack.us/img128/5323/6531373464326534kopieof4.jpg

http://img128.imageshack.us/img128/6425/6135313563383438kopiekg9.jpg

Of course not, newfvgffm, nice job, this is exactly what it should be :okay:. I am currently and the next two and half weeks somewhere in the Atlantic ocean and just lucky to be in the position to post the stuff from Friday, the connection is as an old times with a modem... hard experience. ;)

And to complete this series, here the contruction update.

First some pics from Parktower. With some fantasy you might get the final impression without the rest of the scaffold.

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3961386661633165.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6535333337366162.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6435623062643037.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3636323133666331.jpg


And here the pics from Opernturm site, this time without a lot of comments as everybody can go without them.

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3061336132333063.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3064386563393738.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6164373965633432.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6662393738643539.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6431643635623865.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3636383065663238.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3663373061363836.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3033643837326362.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6230396335653064.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6534376462306531.jpg

And for those who might remember the youngest Opernturm-fan from one of my earlier posts here the proof that someone else must also have realized and included it into his plannings for the big window on the main corner.

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6364373863373435.jpg
pics: cystillfi

:lol:

great update CYstillFI and great work on the renderings newfvgffm! :drool:

you have to love tishman speyer, they always think of the children :lol:

great update, as usual.

the opernturm construction looks enormous. can you imagine, that it will be 50% taller than the neighbouring parktower, which looks so tall at the moment. the parktower looks great, though Im not a huge fan of the glas-facade - looks like the old zurich-hochhaus.

I really like the trend in frankfurt towards natural stone cladding. it looks so elegant.

fantastic update :)...they're almost at ground level now

parktower looks really good, thanx for the pics!

I really like the trend in frankfurt towards natural stone cladding. it looks so elegant.

True, HD, elegant and timeless...

Also here it's time for an update. Let's start with Parktower. Except on the west side, the scaffold has been completly removed and the tower offers almost its final appearence, at least from the main views.

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6266623835653365.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3937313733646334.jpg


I am not sure if the apertures in the middle will be closed at the end, but I afraid they won't. Unfortunatly I can't remember any render showing this side.

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3662323862366563.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3761356461313066.jpg


And here a curious combination of towers as seen from the Rothschildpark.

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6535643466613436.jpg
pics: cystillfi

Since yesterday Opernturm has completly reached street level, the ground level's floor of the south part has been poured. From now on we have to look upwards for future updates. :D

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3233306432323265.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3633303162336131.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6438316336343364.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3139613764343235.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3037373230646263.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3264363936623665.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3663643231623832.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6534396562623836.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6537393434616430.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3532666139646433.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6230373866323432.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3934313464396165.jpg
pics: cystillfi

great update, as always :)

fantastic update, thx buddy

thx for your great effort! this site is ready for.. boow woow..

Since we've reached streetlevel, it's goin to be a bit more exciting to watch the construction site ;)

http://i23.tinypic.com/25ajgpx.jpg

http://i22.tinypic.com/9788jn.jpg

http://i24.tinypic.com/2ihujc0.jpg

http://i22.tinypic.com/2h396h0.jpg

Phenomenal weather these days.

http://www.eonet.ne.jp/~building-pc/oosaka/oo-195kanden.JPG

http://hrscene.fc2web.com/pic/osakacity/nakanosiman3.jpg
Osaka Japan
It resembles this building.

http://www.eonet.ne.jp/~building-pc/oosaka/oo-195kanden.JPG

http://hrscene.fc2web.com/pic/osakacity/nakanosiman3.jpg
Osaka Japan
It resembles this building.

not really...

well, a bit ...

thanks a lot for the update!

Let's say both are boxes of simular size, and that's more or less all about it.

Erbsenzähler, nice update, at least you found your way through the fog. ;)

Here some pictures from Sunday in order to complete your series. The core is now preparing for the second level.

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3233393931663438.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6634656537373961.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6463383339653065.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3863613535313362.jpg


Regarding the Parktower, here the view down the Reuterweg which we haven't seen here so far.

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3031346132633632.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3538636230393135.jpg
pics: cystillfi

Here some early bird pics from this morning, and to be honest, this is not my favorite time.

In the southern part of the tower, the future lobby with a height of around 20 Meters, huge scaffolds are being assembled, initially for building the massive pilings in that part of the tower, then for supporting the construction of the slab above that area.


http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3766376630313566.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3339656334336463.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3933633030386137.jpg


And the southern part of the lowrise building is now reaching ground level.

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3537366237363139.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3965626339653439.jpg
pics: cystillfi

very nice update, as usual, thanks


this view is amazing, imagine it with opernturm completed :cheers:

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3538636230393135.jpg

i hope that cyfi found many worms like early birds are used to....:lol: :lol: :lol:
thanks for updating us brilliant as ever :banana:
regards from ffm

thx for the update cystillfi. great as always!

Great update and great photo.:cheers:

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3538636230393135.jpg
pics: cystillfi

great updates :)

Pics from yesterday
http://i24.tinypic.com/20zsco7.jpg

http://i20.tinypic.com/2a9o2nq.jpg

http://i23.tinypic.com/2dhivt0.jpg

http://i21.tinypic.com/5metmb.jpg

Thanks for the Update, Tom. I can't wait to the see the towers base meaning the first 20 meters before the first horizontal elements appears on the shell.

And regarding the awesome view from Reuterweg, I think the Metzler tower and maybe the FraSpa tower would make it really perfect.

the construction is now clearly visible from the opera square.

Last not least also here an update (with some delay after system crash) from last Friday.

As HT already said, construction is now clearly visible from opera square and a real pleasure to look at. The towers core has reached the 3rd level now. The low rise is now on street level except the last section in the north with the future entrance to the underground parking. Same situation with the underground parking the southern part gets its "roof" now.

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3230646431653336.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3537376333303664.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3730323238306236.jpg


The future low rise...

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3530346338373863.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6437366639383166.jpg


As seen from opera place...

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3662393630323961.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3661323635373939.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/6261376533313337.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3864336461616261.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3237353064316435.jpg

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/alben/64/136464/3835366362646636.jpg
pics: cystillfi

can´t see any pictures :bash:

can´t see any pictures :bash:

I do :tongue: and say: I can feel it :) how the tower rises ;);) thanks for the update

im at work and i think thats the reason why i couln´t see the pictures. when i come home i will look at the pictures...:-D :cheers:

nice...even if i saw it live :D

Very nice, can't wait to see the construction with my own eyes.

i hope i can visit frankfurt next summer to see the tower UC

I wonder what kind of construction they are doing on the base level? It seems different from other constructions? Are they building a bank vault or something? Maybe a nuclear safety shelter/bunker? :lol: Just curious.

anybody got something new?

Well, they've finished the last part of the parking lot's ceiling. They nearly handled up 1000m³ of pure concrete on one day.

Should be enough for today.

Fresh impressions of the Opernturm construction site :)

The pictures emanate from the sedulous German DAF-user Ahligator.

It's rising quite fast these days!
http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/4637/20071111op2ad6.jpg

http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/3050/20071111op3mc0.jpg

From the east
http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/7264/20071111op6om4.jpg

The henceforth entrance of the tower
http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/2189/20071111op4qo9.jpg

Close impressions of the clamber boarding
http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/3081/20071111op5zc0.jpg

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/9135/20071111op7lv7.jpg

Always on top: The porta-potty Dixi-toilet :toilet:
http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/5200/20071111op8qf2.jpg

The looming gateway of the underground parking lot
http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/39/20071111op9pm4.jpg

I hope they're able to proceed in such a speed :)

I hope they're able to double their speed :)
nice update by se wey

Auch hier wär's cool, wenn du anführen würdest, von wem die Bilder wirklich stammen...

^^^^
hat er doch angegeben...