Perhaps unsurprisingly, “Soll und Haben” is the tongue-in-cheek nickname locals gave the Deutsche-Bank-Hochhaus. These towers stand as a testament to Frankfurt’s financial prowess. I am excited to share some stories about this iconic structure.
The Deutsche-Bank-Hochhaus, also known as the Deutsche Bank Headquarters, is a twin tower skyscraper complex. It is located in Frankfurt’s Westend-Süd district. Both towers reach a height of 155 meters. They serve as the headquarters for Deutsche Bank. Deutsche Bank is the largest bank in Germany.
These towers are located at the borders of Westend-Süd, Bahnhofsviertel, and Innenstadt. They stand near baroque-era parks and the Opernplatz. This area is Frankfurt’s central business district, called Bankenviertel. The towers are part of a chain of high-rise buildings on Mainzer Landstraße. This chain stretches from Opernplatz to Platz der Republik. The towers have direct access to the Taunusanlage underground S-Bahn station.
Construction of the Deutsche-Bank-Hochhaus took place from 1979 to 1984. Originally, the buildings were intended to house a hotel for the Hyatt Hotel Group. However, Hyatt cancelled its plans. Deutsche Bank then decided to make it their headquarters. The complex has a four-story base building and the two towers. The buildings are complete reinforced concrete structures. Reflective glass facades complete the design.
The towers have irregular trapezoidal shapes. Both share identical floor plans. These plans feature symmetric 45-degree angles. These angles are arranged 13 meters from the center of the plant.
The Deutsche-Bank-Hochhaus has become a popular backdrop in media. It symbolizes the German economy. This is due to Deutsche Bank’s role as a major global financial institution.
In 2006, Deutsche Bank decided to renovate the towers. This was after 22 years of use, due to changes in fire regulations. The renovation took place from 2007 to 2011. The work improved fire protection systems. It also replaced the climate, water, and lighting technology. This reduced energy consumption and CO2 emissions by at least 50 percent. Re-glazing with opening windows further improved energy balance.
The towers aimed for green building certification. They sought LEED Platinum and DGNB Gold standards. The towers were the first high-rises to receive this certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. Milanese architect Mario Bellini designed the interior. During the renovation, about 2,500 employees moved to other Frankfurt sites.
The Deutsche Bank towers officially reopened on February 14, 2011. Guests from politics, business, and society attended the ceremony. The headquarters first opened in February 1985. Since then, the towers have become Frankfurt landmarks. They symbolize Germany as a financial center.
Deutsche Bank implemented innovative ecological ideas during the renovation. The bank cut its energy supply by half. Water consumption decreased by over 70 percent. CO2 emissions dropped by almost 90 percent. This made the towers one of the most eco-friendly high-rise buildings globally.
In 2007, Deutsche Bank bought the complex for approximately €271 million. In March 2011, the bank announced it would sell the towers for €600 million. DWS Investments, another bank-owned real estate fund, was the buyer.
These towers embody strength and global awareness. They stand as a testament to Deutsche Bank’s commitment to Frankfurt and Germany. The Deutsche-Bank-Hochhaus remains a vital part of Frankfurt’s identity.