“Nordi” is what locals affectionately call it. The Nordwestzentrum stands before us. This shopping center is a vibrant hub in Frankfurt. It is more than just a place to shop. It’s a central meeting point for the entire northwest of Frankfurt.
Opened in 1968, the Nordwestzentrum has expanded several times. The most recent expansion was in 2018. Today, it is one of Germany’s largest and most frequented shopping centers. Imagine the hustle and bustle within these walls.
Inside the Nordwestzentrum, you will find 160 stores. There are also many restaurants and service facilities. All this spans over 90000 square meters of rental space. Anchor tenants include Primark, Media Markt and REWE Center. Decathlon, Zara, P&C West, Müller Drogerie, H&M and C&A also call this place home.
But the Nordwestzentrum offers more than just shopping. It is home to many public services. These include a swimming pool and an event hall. A basketball hall, the city library, a kindergarten and an adult education center are also here. It is a true community hub.
The overall property covers around 360000 square meters. It includes apartments, offices and a hotel. You can even find medical services and a gas station here. This makes the Nordwestzentrum a focal point for the community.
Getting here is easy. The Nordwestzentrum boasts 3500 car parking spaces. It also has its own subway station and a central bus station. Public transportation connects you seamlessly.
The Nordwestzentrum has seen many changes over the years. In the beginning, the Neue Heimat owned it. The center’s original look reflected the 1970s. Facades and planters were often made of washed concrete.
By the 1980s, the building needed renovation. Rainwater had caused damage to the concrete. Investors were not initially found. There was even talk of demolishing the center.
In 1986, Georg Faktor bought the Nordwestzentrum. He completely renovated it. The renovation followed the model of American shopping malls. In 1986 or 1987, the NWZ received an architecture prize. The International Council of Shopping Centers gave the award. It was for the world’s best shopping center redesign.
Josef Buchmann bought the Nordwestzentrum in the early 1990s. He completely renovated it. Buchmann still owns it today. In 1992, the center expanded. A new building complex was added. It included a hotel, a restaurant, a fitness center and the Titus Thermen.
Another expansion began in 2001. It added another 3000 square meter shopping street. This created 37000 square meters of retail and restaurant space. The third passage, the Modeboulevard, opened in autumn 2004. Since then, the Nordwestzentrum has been one of Germany’s largest shopping centers.
From 2017 to 2019, another renovation took place. The fire station and police station moved out. This made room for 45 new stores. Today, the Nordwestzentrum continues to evolve. HBB aims to further develop the tenant mix. They want to adapt the property to changing market conditions. The Nordwestzentrum remains a vital part of Frankfurt. It offers something for everyone.