“Eichenallee” or “Oak Avenue” would be fitting. Here at An den Eichen, trees define the atmosphere. This isn’t just any street. It’s part of the Heimatsiedlung.
Let’s step back into the late 1920s. Frankfurt was grappling with a housing shortage. Enter Ernst May. He was an urban planner with a vision. His plan was called “Das Neue Frankfurt”. It aimed to create modern living spaces. The Heimatsiedlung was part of this ambitious project.
Franz Roeckle was the architect behind the Heimatsiedlung. He designed it for the Heimat AG. This was a housing association. The goal was to provide affordable homes. Construction started in 1927. By 1934, around 1,000 apartments and houses stood here.
What makes An den Eichen so special? Look around you. Notice the trees. Each street is named after a specific tree. Here we have oaks or Eichen. Other streets feature beeches, birches, and acacias. Each type of tree gives its street a unique feel.
The Heimatsiedlung has a distinct layout. Four-story buildings form the outer edges. These act like a protective wall. Inside, you’ll find rows of three-story houses. Each house has a small garden. This creates a sense of community.
An den Eichen reflects Roeckle’s architectural style. He incorporated elements of the New Building movement. He also added his own touches. Roeckle even included winter gardens in some houses. These were innovative for social housing at the time.
The Heimatsiedlung was unique in another way. It wasn’t built by a municipal housing association. Instead, the Heimat AG, a trade union subsidiary, was responsible. This gave the settlement a different character. It deviated from the “Frankfurt norm”.
Originally, mainly white-collar workers lived here. They were members of the German Salaried Employees Union. This created a specific social mix in the neighborhood.
The location of An den Eichen is also noteworthy. It sits in Sachsenhausen-Nord. The area is bordered by major roads and a railway line. Despite this, the Heimatsiedlung feels like a peaceful enclave.
An den Eichen and the Heimatsiedlung have changed over time. Yet, its original concept remains visible. Affordable housing and a strong community spirit still define the area. The trees that give An den Eichen its name continue to shape its identity. They provide shade. They offer beauty. They remind us of the area’s history. An den Eichen is more than just a street. It’s a living piece of Frankfurt’s architectural history.