Clusters of skyscrapers rise from the centre of Frankfurt am Main, proudly signalling the city's position as Germany's economic hub. While the number of high-rise buildings may pale in comparison to the likes of New York City (there's currently about 40 that stretch past the 100-metre mark), their presence has nonetheless earned the nickname "Mainhatten". In fact, of Germany's 15 highest buildings only one is not located in Frankfurt, the tallest being the 56-storey, 300-metre tall Commerzbank Tower.
There are plenty more towering edifices to come. Eight new skyscrapers that will soar well over 100 and 200 metres are currently in development. A major site of interest is a collection of four skyscrapers in the heart of the financial district, dubbed FOUR Frankfurt, which will form a new city quarter when complete in 2024.
The project has been conceived as an urban solution to blur the line (and reduce the commute) between corporate areas and residential districts by creating a cohesive neighbourhood for people to live and work. Tower 1, the tallest at 233 metres, and Tower 4 (100 metres) will predominantly feature office space, while Towers 2 and 3 will house more than 600 residential apartments, plus two hotels (Hyatt House serviced apartments in Tower 2 and a Kimpton Hotel in Tower 3). The complex will also feature restaurant and retail outlets, plus daycare and fitness facilities.
Mixed-use towers featuring luxury residential apartments are a relatively new phenomenon for the German city, and a frenzy for such upmarket residences saw the city's real estate market balloon in value by up to 50 per cent between 2016 and 2021. In 2021, Allianz AG signed a deal to purchase Tower 1 of the FOUR Frankfurt development for €1.4 billion, making it the most expensive single building ever sold in Germany.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der May 2023-Ausgabe von Business Traveller UK.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der May 2023-Ausgabe von Business Traveller UK.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
The rail thing - Why airlines and train companies are partnering to increase options for travellers on short journeys
An intercity flight connection operated by train would have been almost unthinkable in the early 1990s, but in 2024 it will increasingly be the default experience at many European hub airports. European nations have been among the world's leaders in adopting high-speed rail for short-distance trips, along with Asian countries such as Japan and China.
Adventures in Albania - From paranoid dictatorship to dream travel destination, why the Balkan nation is ready for its moment in the sun
Over the past few years, tourism has shot up stratospherically; recent figures from the European Travel Commission show it's grown 86 per cent since 2019. Its GDP per capita has also been increasing, and last year stood at US$8,800, while the average monthly salary is now around 84,000 lek (£704). Foreign direct investment is also on the rise, with countries including Switzerland, Italy, and the Netherlands targeting sectors such as energy, mining, information and real estate to a value of around US$1.5 billion in 2022, according to UNCTAD's World Investment Report. Not bad for a country which used to depend on foreign food aid.
Sushi Kanesaka at 45 Park Lane, London
Watching Kanesaka work his magic is performance in itself
Scandic Spectrum, Copenhagen
An impressive corporate hotel just minutes from Copenhagen's centre
Kimpton Clocktower, Manchester
The perfect mix of gorgeous heritage design with cool, cosmopolitan attitude
Mandarin Oriental Mayfair, London
A stunning success another calming experience in the capital
Eurostar Business Premier LONDON-PARIS
It remains the superior service for those travelling from London to Paris
Qatar Airways Boeing 777-300ER first class DOHA-HONG KONG
There is a lot to like, but my experience was far from perfect
4 HOURS IN...Vienna
You'll be spoiled for choice when it comes to the Austrian capital's museums, galleries and historic cafes
SWITCHING OFF IN...THE LOIRE VALLEY
Escape to the secluded forests of the Loire Valley for a digital detox