Gazing up at the Citygate, have you ever wondered about its past lives? This towering structure, standing tall at Nibelungenplatz in Frankfurt’s Nordend district, has a story more intricate than its sleek glass exterior suggests. Citygate wasn’t always called Citygate. It began its life in 1966 as the Shell Tower, a symbol of post-war progress and the tallest building in Frankfurt until 1972. Imagine this bustling intersection, once home to a 90-meter high-rise clad in aluminum, a stark contrast to the glass facade we see today. Built for the oil giant Shell, the original design even included a fallout shelter in the basement, a chilling reminder of the Cold War era. The Citygate, then Shell Tower, stood as a testament to the fear and ambition of the time. Later, it became known as the Büro Center Nibelungenplatz, or BCN. This marked a period of transformation for the building. The aluminum exterior was replaced with the current glass facade, and a panoramic elevator was added, modernizing its look and feel. The BCN even played a starring role, serving as the location for the German TV series “Ein Fall für zwei” until 2013. Citygate, as we know it, emerged after a 2015 acquisition and subsequent renovations. The architectural firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill led the redesign, giving the building its current sophisticated appearance. Today, the Citygate houses a diverse array of tenants, from the Spanish Consulate to Radio Frankfurt, which boasts Germany’s highest radio studio on the 27th floor. So, the next time you pass by the Citygate, remember its journey. From a Cold War-era oil company headquarters to a modern office hub, this building reflects Frankfurt’s own evolution, a city constantly reinventing itself while holding onto echoes of its past.
Adlerwerke
From bicycles to Nazi atrocities, the Adlerwerke in Frankfurt has witnessed a tumultuous history. The Adlerwerke, meaning “Eagle Works,” began