Decades ago the air here reeked of livestock. Today in the Deutschherrnviertel you will find a vibrant mix of living and commerce. This area sits on the southern banks of the Main. It lies between the Deutschherrnbrücke and the Flößerbrücke.
The Deutschherrnviertel is also known as Stadtviertel Alter Schlachthof. This translates to City Quarter Old Slaughterhouse. This name hints at its past. The area was rebuilt starting in the 1990s. It occupies the grounds of Frankfurt’s former slaughterhouse and stockyards.
The old slaughterhouse replaced an older one near the cathedral. It opened in 1884. The Frankfurt butchers’ guild commissioned it from 1882 to 1885. The site was raised by three to six meters for the slaughterhouse construction. This brought it to the level of today’s Tiefkai. The slaughterhouse tripled in size between 1896 and 1902. It became one of Europe’s largest and most modern facilities. Frankfurt became a major hub for livestock trade.
The Deutschherrnviertel suffered heavy damage during World War II. It was rebuilt into the 1960s and flourished again. But changes in the meat and livestock market led to closures from the 1970s.
In 1984, planners envisioned a smaller compact slaughterhouse. It was built by 1988 on the eastern edge. All functions were in one complex. Other buildings were torn down or repurposed. A flea market took place in the western part from 1984 to 1989. An architectural competition was held in 1987. They wanted to create an administration center.
Many reasons led to the slaughterhouse’s demise. Restrictions on animal transport and the need for a new sewage plant played a role. Political shifts in the city contributed. Also the number of animals for slaughter declined in southern Hesse. Frankfurt decided to create a residential and commercial area. A competition was held in 1990. The goal was to create around 1,200 apartments. Also they wanted 40,000 square meters of space for businesses. The eastern part should have more office space. This would offset the costs of relocating the compact slaughterhouse. Jo Frowein and Markus Löffler from Stuttgart won. Their design became the basis for the district’s development.
The slaughterhouse closed in 1993. Construction of the Deutschherrnviertel began in 1995. The first building was one of the “Punkthäuser” on the Mainufer. Today about 2,500 people live here. Around 1,200 jobs exist in retail, gastronomy, offices, and practices.
At the western end stands the Main Plaza. It features the Romantik Turm. Hans Kollhoff and R. Klemencic designed this 88-meter tower. It has 164 gilded pinnacles. It houses luxury apartments with 24-hour service. There are also restaurants, conference rooms, and a parking garage.
The Walther-von-Cronberg-Platz features computer-controlled water features. Cafés, restaurants, and ice cream parlors surround the square. The Ensemble Trapezio Fiorentino marks the eastern boundary. Christian Muschalek designed it. It offers apartments and penthouses. Arcades house retail and gastronomy.
To the east is the Frankfurt Loop. J. Bock designed it. It includes the Economy Palace, Net.Building-East and West, and Net.Loft. The GWH offers a mix of apartments for sale and rent.
Further east, 13 individual buildings form the eastern end. This area is known as “Little SoHo”. Brick facades enclose apartments, lofts, and penthouses.
Eleven Punkthäuser line the Mainufer promenade. Different architects designed these buildings. Only the footprint is the same for each.
The Main Triangel marks the eastern end of the Deutschherrnviertel. Novotny, Mähner and Associates designed this office building. It has 14 floors.
The Deutschherrnviertel transformed from a slaughterhouse to a modern urban district. It offers a blend of living, working, and leisure by the river.