The DIC Group is one of the leading investors in the German market for commercial real estate

Press Release

Designs for the MainTor towers chosen

Frankfurt, 11.12.2009

The panel in the process for calling in expert opinions from architects for the two high-rise buildings, the “WinX” and the “MainTor Panorama” in Frankfurt’s MainTor project, reached its decision today. For each high-rise building, the panel has recommended two designs for further elaboration:

“WinX”:

• KSP Jürgen Engel Architekten GmbH (Frankfurt)
• Prof. Christoph Mäckler Architekten (Frankfurt)

“MainTor Panorama”:

• Prof. Christoph Mäckler Architekten (Frankfurt)
• Dudler Happ Architects (Berlin/Frankfurt)

The panel subsequently assessed the architectural effect of combining the respective solutions. It reached the unanimous decision that the combination of the designs for the “MainTor Panorama” by Prof. Mäckler and the “WinX” by KSP Jürgen Engel represent the best solution in urban development terms.

The design for the "Panorama" tower by Prof. Mäckler is particularly attractive both because of its location as part of the MainTor gateway and the delicate nature of its proportions compared with the neighbouring “Schweizer National” high-rise building. The “WinX” design by Jürgen Engel stands out from the surrounding stone development as an elegant landmark building.

The owner DIC (Deutsche Immobilien Chancen) will further evaluate the results of the expert opinion process on the basis of these guidelines over the next few weeks and will have minor revisions carried out. In consultation with the City of Frankfurt, DIC will decide which of the proposed designs it will implement. The final decision will be available by mid-February 2010 at the latest.

The aim of the expert opinion process, which was started on 30 September, was to obtain ground-breaking designs for the two office blocks “WinX” and “MainTor Panorama”, which are to complement the Frankfurt skyline in a harmonious manner. In addition to architectural merit and quality of use, particular attention was paid to the sustainability of the designs in the appraisal: the aim is for both office blocks to achieve a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Gold or DGNB (German Sustainable Building Council) certificate, all of which are subject to particularly stringent criteria in terms of energy efficiency, ecology and cost-effectiveness.

For the MainTor project, conclusion of the expert opinion process is a key milestone in the completion of the project and means that the planning phase of the project will be concluded shortly. The application for the construction of the “MainTor Porta” building was submitted in September and a decision on the application is expected in spring 2010. Initial demolition and construction can then start in the north-east section of the site as early as 2010.

Edwin Schwarz, from the planning department of the City of Frankfurt am Main: “I am delighted that the competition demanded by the City has produced such top-quality results. They will set a course for the development of the Frankfurt cityscape and enhance our famous skyline. In Spring 2010, the City will pass the resolution on the adoption of the development plan required for project completion.”

Prof. Johann Eisele (Professor at the Technical University of Darmstadt), chairman of the panel: ”We have achieved very high quality results for this substantial and highly significant urban development project in Frankfurt in this expert opinion process. It has not been an easy task for the panel to select the most suitable designs through a process of elimination. The selected architects’ designs guarantee outstanding architecture, very high quality of use and sustainability for this new urban quarter, which I find very gratifying.”

Ulrich Höller, CEO of DIC: “All the designs recommended by the panel represent outstanding contemporary architecture and, at the same time, fit in well with the surrounding buildings. The MainTor will not only lead the way in terms of urban development in the variety of use it offers but will also enhance the city's silhouette through the architecture of WinX and Panorama. We shall start work on the detailed planning for our preferred designs at the beginning of next year.“

Further comments by the panel on the chosen designs:

“WinX”:

Design by KSP Jürgen Engel Architekten GmbH (Frankfurt)

The appeal of the design by KSP lies in the highly productive use of space and the shape of the building: X-shaped, angled façades with indentations in the south and west of the building optimise the use of daylight. The design is also distinguished by its architecturally intelligent exploitation of the space. The U-shaped porch building sets the scene for the entrance to the “WinX” high-rise in a most attractive manner.

Design by Prof. Christoph Mäckler Architekten (Frankfurt)

Two cuboids offset against each other produce beautifully light-filled standard floor plans and allow the office space at their ends to be used in a variety of different ways. This design offers both efficiency of use and, at the same time, a top-quality working environment.

“MainTor Panorama”:

Design by Prof. Christoph Mäckler Architekten (Frankfurt)

The design by Prof. Mäckler stands out through the sensitivity with which the building lines and heights of the neighbouring building have been included. The design of the side facing the Main is more delicate and is therefore particularly compatible with the “Schweizer National” building.

Design by Dudler Happ Architects (Berlin / Frankfurt)

The Dudler Happ consortium has produced a clever design with offset base and high-rise buildings with the latter consisting of two interleaved cuboids. The work is also particularly appealing because of the sensitivity with which the building lines and heights of the neighbouring buildings have been included.

Background information:

The plans for the two office blocks “WinX” and “MainTor Panorama” were based on the master plan devised in 2007: the former Degussa premises will be reintegrated into their surroundings, revitalised and made accessible to the public by erecting an open, multi-functional ensemble of nine individual buildings with varying uses. A large square in the centre of the area will renew the historical relationship between the river Main, the financial district and the city centre. The central, approximately 100 metre tall "WinX" building forms an essential part of the concept, with its architecture adding to the Frankfurt skyline and reinforcing the city's metropolitan character. The approximately 64 metre tall "MainTor Panorama", on the south-west corner of the quarter, is to form the actual MainTor together with the "Schweizer National" skyscraper on the opposite side. Both skyscrapers are mainly intended to house offices, whereas the southern and eastern premises that will be erected later will mostly serve as residential buildings.

Participating architects and consortia:

• •    Allmann Sattler Wappner Architekten GmbH (Munich),
• •    David Chipperfield Architects Ltd (London),
• •    Dudler Happ Architects (Berlin/Frankfurt),
• •    HPP Hentrich Petschnigg + Partner GmbH + Co. KG (Düsseldorf),
• •    Kleihues + Kleihues Gesellschaft von Architekten mbH (Berlin),
• •    KSP Jürgen Engel Architekten GmbH (Frankfurt),
• •    Prof. Christoph Mäckler Architekten (Frankfurt)

The panel consists of:

Independent experts:

• Prof. Johann Eisele (Professor at the Technical University of Darmstadt)

Representatives of the City of Frankfurt am Main:

• Edwin Schwarz, member of the City Council (Planning Department),
• Jochem Heumann (member of the Planning, Construction and Residential Construction Committee, CDU faction),
• Stefan Majer (planning policy spokesman for the Greens faction)

Representatives of the owner:

• Ulrich Höller (CEO of DIC),
• Stefan Blümm (Managing Director of DIC Project Development),
• Marc Balkenhol (Managing Director DIC ONSITE)

Experts without a vote:

• Wolfgang Kreickmann (head of local committee 1),
• Markus Radermacher (construction inspection for the City of Frankfurt am Main),
• Martin Hunscher (City Planning Office, City of Frankfurt am Main),
• Winfried Seidinger (Lemon Consult GmbH, Zurich; advice on energy related issues),
• Hans Honig (a+f, Frankfurt am Main; façade planning)

About DIC

DIC (Deutsche Immobilien Chancen), active throughout Germany, was founded in Frankfurt in 1998 and, with its innovative investment philosophy and its focus on the German market, is one of the most prominent and successful firms in Germany specialising in commercial real estate transactions. Its business activities include portfolio and asset management, which are handled by its SDAX-listed company, DIC Asset AG, as well as project development and opportunistic investments. It currently holds approximately 40 per cent of DIC Asset AG. The real estate assets managed by the DIC Group currently amount to around 3.3 billion euros. Its shareholders are investment companies, institutional investors and private investors with a background in industry.

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