Press Release Henning Larsen Architects to design new tower at the Kaiser-Karree in Frankfurt am Main

19.02.2025 • 5 Reading Time

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Henning Larsen Architects has emerged as the winner of the competition to find a design for the new high-rise building at the historic Kaiser-Karree in Frankfurt am Main. As announced by the investors, Commerz Real and Tishman Speyer, the international architectural office with its headquarters in Copenhagen was able to assert itself in the face of competition from nine other participants from Germany, France, the Netherlands and Norway. “The designs submitted by Henning Larsen Architects not only enthused the jury thanks to their iconic impact,” explains Florian Reiff, Managing Director of Tishman Speyer. “The designs also ensure that the new construction harmonises excellently with the city’s skyline and its history.”

With its spectacular shape and façade the tower will not only be a highlight for Frankfurt am Main, but also throughout Germany and at international level.

Andreas Rauch

Gobal Head of Redevelopment and Construction

The background to this project is formed by the 2024 high-rise development plan of the City of Frankfurt am Main and the idea put forward by the city council to develop a promenade of high-rise buildings between the Alte Oper concert hall and Willy Brandt Platz. Councillor Marcus Gwechenberger, the head of the city’s planning and housing department, regards the submitted design as confirmation of the urban planning objectives of the high-rise development plan: “The design by Henning Larsen Architects will lead to the construction of the first high-rise building in Frankfurt in line with the targets laid down in the new high-rise development plan. The building will be accessible to the immediate vicinity thanks to its various offerings. It will thus make a key contribution to enlivening the new promenade of high-rise buildings close to the former city wall.” The planned new high-rise construction is intended to judiciously integrate the historic ensemble of buildings between Kaiserstrasse 28 and Neue Mainzer Strasse 31 thanks to its modern, forward-looking architecture. With a height of 195 metres it will be a further highlight on Frankfurt’s skyline, enhancing the cityscape and providing space for a multitude of uses, including offices, hotel and commercial areas, as well as public cultural offerings. For this reason an important element is the opening up of the listed building at Kaiserstrasse 30 in the direction of the former city wall and the establishment of a cultural boulevard through the continuation of the promenade along the former city wall.

The competition began in October 2024 following the successful conclusion of the civic participation phase. A solution was sought which was convincing with regard to its architecture and urban development, as well as its functionality, sustainability and economic efficiency. In line with the requirements set by the high-rise development plan and on the basis of planning drawn up by the architectural office Albert Speer und Partner all of the designs provided for a high-rise building set on a modernised base with only a narrow connection to the surrounding buildings and with a historic façade. The jury of 15 men and women was composed of renowned architects and city planners as well as representatives of the City of Frankfurt am Main and representatives of Commerz Real and Tishman Speyer. The jury was advised by 13 experts in the fields of heritage conservation, urban planning and landscape design, building technology, and environmental protection. The first three places were awarded prizes of 70,000, 45,000 and 25,000 euros, respectively.

According to the investors, the next stage foresees gaining approval in the framework of the development plan process. Following the conclusion of the planning procedure and the awarding of a construction permit, the demolition work and construction measures will begin.

Es wird eine Visualisierung des Hochhausneubaus am historischen Kaiser-Karree in Frankfurt am Main dargestellt. Henning Larsen Architects setzte sich als Sieger im Archtitektenwettbewerb durch, die Jury wurde unter anderem von der Investoren Commerz Real und Tishman Speyer vertreten.

About Commerz Real

Commerz Real is the asset manager for tangible asset investments of the Commerzbank Group and has 52 years of international experience in the market. More than 800 employees manage assets worth around 35,5 Billion Euro billion euros at the headquarters in Wiesbaden as well as at 17 other locations and branches in Germany and abroad.