HOCHTIEF Projektentwicklung is planning a tower ensemble in Frankfurt. Taking into consideration the special location at the “Taunusanlage”, outstanding and highly economical office real estate on a public square is being planned, which improves the urban environment.
The urban planning situation
The project site consists of Taunusanlage 9 and Taunusanlage 10, and is located in the center of Frankfurt am Main, in the immediate vicinity of the Old Opera House and in the area of the banking district. It takes up most of an almost rectangular area, which borders onto Mainzer Landstraße in the North, the road Taunusanlage in the East and Marienstraße which branches off at a right angle in the West and South. Approximately 6,500 m² of building land can be newly planned – in compliance with all spacing regulations.
The tower T11, which has just been renovated for the second time (the first renovation was carried out in 1992), is located in the narrow angle formed by Mainzer Landstraße and Taunusanlage. It is 75 meters high and covers a floor plan area of approximately 600 m², which a flat construction is built onto. A new building with a 68 meter high office building is planned on the adjoining plot of land to the South at the address Taunusanlage 8.
The project
At least 60,000 m² of gross floor space are planned in one or several building shells, including a tower with a maximum of 50,000 m² of gross floor space. At least two independent building sections, which enable a real division of land, are to form two independent addresses (facing Mainzer Landstraße and facing Taunusanlage, the latter with its own right of way) and enable the division into at least two construction sections. The building height is limited to 140 meters (edge of building without superstructure) above the edge of the surface.
The empty spaces between the buildings are to be designed in such a way that they are suitable for a pleasant stay. Parking cars are accommodated in an underground parking garage, which is dividable and partly public and has 300 parking spaces. Access to the underground parking garage and delivery traffic is to be directed via Marienstraße.
The project is primarily to be used for offices. A standard floor will have about 1,000 m² of gross floor space. The development and core areas must enable dividable rental units sized from 400 m² of space as well as flexible building utilization within the building structure and standard floors. The areas above the ground are reserved for a canteen and at certain points for gastronomic facilities. Apart from this the building contains a conference area and storage spaces.
The expert process
A non-anonymous, single-stage expert process, with eight invited participants in the form of a free selection process, has been concluded. Following a preliminary examination to determine compliance with formal and content requirements, the presented work was evaluated by the jurors of a seven-person jury chaired by Prof. Carl Fingerhuth. The competition results are to form the basis for a local plan process which will directly follow.
The aim of the process was to develop concrete urban planning, architectural and functional ideas how the site at Taunusanlage 9 and 10 could be built on. In terms of urban planning the exposed location in the urban district of Frankfurt and the interplay with the neighboring buildings was to be taken into consideration. In terms of the architectural concept sophisticated and at the same time economic real estate with high-quality fittings, areas that can be used flexibly and a representative character were expected. Particular attention was devoted to the alignment of the buildings: it should be combined with an appropriate leisure activities design and nevertheless be functional. The concept should also be designed in an environmentally friendly way and fulfill the requirement for sustainable construction and operation.
The winning draft
Thomas Müller and Ivan Reimann, society of architects from Berlin, have convinced the jury with their draft. The urban planning concept envisages two building sections that can be realized independently of each other: one tower facing onto Taunusanlage, which consists of two sections, as well as an eight-story office building on Mainzer Landstraße which is approximately 30 meters high and which connects to a six-story annex which is about 23 meters high. On its wider side the 40-story tower, which is approximately 150 meters high, faces towards Taunusanlage and takes its line of direction. The second building section faces onto Mainzer Landstraße and integrates itself into the buildings along the edge of the street and stretches along the West and South of Marienstraße. However, here it is set back so far from the line of the street that the public space of the street is widened out to form a small square. A uniform paving of the square and Marienstraße enhances the impression of spaciousness. This creates leisure space which can be well used, and – like all forecourts – this is lined with trees. The ensemble can be accessed via three entrances: via the two main entrances, which are opposite each other on Taunusanlage and Marienstraße, as well as another entrance on Mainzer Landstraße.
Source: HOCHTIEF
