FOUR Frankfurt, Germany

A new beating heart in the centre of Frankfurt

A unique mixed-use neighbourhood is being developed in the immediate vicinity of the buildings that define Frankfurt's silhouette. It will enhance not  just the skyline but also the quality of life in the city. 

A unique mixed-use neighbourhood is being developed in the immediate vicinity of the buildings that define Frankfurt's silhouette. It will enhance not  just the skyline but also the quality of life in the city. 

Three partners

The project will be realised by the property development company Gross & Partner and the (equitable) consortium UNS + HPP.

The original project design was created by Amsterdam-based UNStudio. It was the entry for an architectural design competition launched by Gross & Partner at the beginning of 2017, in which the office prevailed against ten international participants. This was preceded by an urban design competition to redesign the 16,000 square metre site, which the practice had also already won.

Four for Frankfurt
For 45 years, the former Deutsche Bank site was of no use to the public. Now, however, not only space for working and living is being created here, but also space for public life. The diversity of use makes the quarter a unique urban location. Previously used purely as a banking district, it will in future offer shops, restaurants, doctors' surgeries, a public roof terrace and a kindergarten.

But it is not only its diversity that makes it a valuable new place in the city: between the buildings, elevated public areas offer space for events, sports and entertainment. With new and shorter walking routes connecting the surrounding neighbourhoods, FOUR offers added value for everyone. Everyone is welcome here at any time without access restrictions or limited opening hours. 

Respectful renewal
With its new towers and unique concept of use, the ensemble of high-rise buildings makes a significant contribution to the renewal of the city. But not at the expense of the established urban structure. The new high-rise ensemble is integrated into the established urban structure by incorporating the listed façades of Junghofstrasse and a multi-storey pedestal building into forming the connecting element of the entire area. The existing building block will be opened at various points to create new passageways and strengthen the relationship with the surrounding pedestrian walkways. 

Major projects using Building Information Modelling

Our core competence: realising BIM-based planning and complex execution processes, was a major advantage in this project. A special challenge for BIM at FOUR Frankfurt was the size of the project, which, with a GFA of over 200,000m², entailed modularisation of the digital model.

In order to facilitate smooth and synchronous cooperation between the companies and locations involved (Amsterdam, Frankfurt and Düsseldorf), we created data and models using a common standard. In addition, we provided universal modelling standards and ensured that files were platform-neutral and could be exchanged without loss of data (Open-BIM). 

The geometric models were modularised according to the actual sections, vertical assignment and function. In total, there are 38 principal geometric models plus some secondary models such as landscape architecture, neighbouring buildings and links.