mecanoo wraps 140-meter-high frankfurt grand central tower in copper-colored metal

mecanoo has won the competition for the development of frankfurt grand central, a new multifunctional residential tower located within walking distance of the german city’s central station. adding to the high-rise city’s existing skyline of about thirty towers, the winning proposal will reach 140 meters in height and will incorporate a 55,000 sqm residential program, including 16,500 sqm social housing, along with flexible workspaces, retail, catering, fitness facitilies, and a kindergarten.all images courtesy of mecanoo

located where the former station post office once stood, between the railway and the frankfurter messe, mecanoo‘s scheme for grand central seeks to transform the currently business-focused area into a mixed neighborhood for living and working. the design comprises two volumes on a plinth: the 140-meter-high tower, which contains social housing up to the seventh floor and owner-occupied units and penthouses on the higher levels; and the lower volume that consists of social housing. the two buildings are connected by a transparent plinth that contains residential entrances and facilities, while the surrounding public space is characterized by a linear park on the railway side, and a green square on the city side.

clad in a glass and copper-colored metal façade, which references the industrial atmosphere of the location, the tower widens as it rises, and its round corners gradually change into right angles in a subtle play of lines and perspectives. the dwellings’ balconies change in size and position along with the widening instead of the floor plans, while on the upper levels, glass screens add an extra layer to the façade and the balconies become continuous.

project info:

architect: mecanoo

program: mixed-use complex

total floor area: 58,000 m2, with 55,000 m2 residential program, including 16,500 m2 social housing, 2 underground garage levels, 1,300 m2 kindergarten and 1,700 m2 commercial functions

status: 1st prize competition

location: frankfurt am main, germany

client: groß & partner; phoenix real estate development gmbh