Here looms the Fernmeldegebäude Konstanz. It is more than just a tall structure. It is a symbol of Konstanz’s growth and transformation. This telecommunications building stands proudly in the Petershausen district. It is located on Moltkestrasse. The Fernmeldegebäude Konstanz is the second highest structure in the city after the Konstanzer Münster.
Once inside this 14-story giant housed the city’s post office. Later, Telekom took over. A pharmaceutical company occupied the upper floors. The Fernmeldegebäude Konstanz measures 62 meters. With its antenna, it reaches a height of 90 meters.
Let’s take a quick journey back in time. The late 1960s saw an explosion in telecommunications. The existing facilities could no longer cope with the demand. A new building was necessary.
In 1967, the first groundbreaking ceremony took place for the Fernmeldegebäude Konstanz. Hans Merkenthaler, a Freiburg architect, designed the building. Sadly, he passed away a year after construction began. The topping-out ceremony was celebrated on July 11, 1969. Finally, on June 3, 1971, the building was put into operation.
Did you know that the Fernmeldegebäude Konstanz also served as a broadcasting tower? Its height allowed radio signals to reach Konstanz. It also reached Kreuzlingen and the Lake Constance area. Various radio stations broadcasted from here. This included Deutschlandradio Kultur and Radio Seefunk. Even Swiss radio stations like Radio SRF 3 and Radio SRF 1 used to broadcast from here.
But times change. Telekom largely withdrew from Konstanz. The Fernmeldegebäude Konstanz was rented out to different companies. Even a part of the Gebhardschule found temporary accommodation here. Since 2020, the building has been undergoing a major transformation. It is being gutted to create modern loft apartments. This will turn the Fernmeldegebäude Konstanz into a residential tower.