Pharao-Haus

Is it a mirage? No, it’s the Pharao-Haus. This striking, pyramid-shaped building dominates the Munich skyline in Oberföhring. Locals affectionately call it “Pharao.” The Pharao-Haus isn’t ancient like its namesake suggests. It was built in 1974 by architect Karl Helmut Bayer. He embraced the Brutalist style. This gives the Pharao-Haus its unique, imposing presence. The building is situated where Effnerstrasse meets Cosimastrasse. Its official address is Fritz-Meyer-Weg 55. The Pharao-Haus isn’t just a visual marvel. It houses 400 apartments within its three interconnected wings. Each wing has a triangular footprint. The largest wing stretches southwest, boasting 18 stories. Another wing points northeast and has 14 stories. The final wing faces northwest and has 10 stories. Instead of a fourth wing, a large, low-rise structure extends southeast. This houses a shopping center and several restaurants. Residents on the sides of the wings enjoy large, continuous balconies. Those at the stepped ends have spacious rooftop terraces. From afar, the building’s resemblance to an Egyptian pyramid is undeniable, hence the name Pharao-Haus. Interestingly, another Munich building, the Fuchsbau in Schwabing, shares a similar three-winged design. However, the Fuchsbau is significantly smaller. The Pharao-Haus truly stands alone in its grandeur.