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LocationFrankfurt am Main
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ProjectRevitalization of a listed high-rise office building
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ClientGEG German Estate Group AG
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Architect of recordHolger Meyer
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Technical building equipment/Bulding physicsWerner Sobek
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Planning and construction period2016–2022
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Service phases1–4, (partly 5 and 8)
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Gross floor area (AG/BG)40,250 m²/6,600 m²
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CertificationsDGNB Platinum,
WiredScore Platinum -
PhotosHGEsch
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This project is from the joint period of meyerschmitzmorkramer.
The former Commerzbank high-rise was erected in 1974 in the heart of Frankfurt’s Central Business District. In 1968, Frankfurt architect Richard Heil had the winning design in the competition against six other firms, including Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. Rising to 110 meters, the building – composed of two slender slabs atop a four-story base – was a pioneering feature of Frankfurt’s skyline. Over time, the intersection it anchors has been joined by high-rises on the other three corners – the Taunus Tower, Japan Center, and Omniturm – forming a distinguished ensemble in the cityscape. As part of a comprehensive revitalization, we renovated the listed office tower from the third basement level to the 30th floor, transforming what had become an outdated, inconspicuous structure into the Global Tower, reintroduced in 2022. Originally ahead of its time, the striking tower is now future-ready, offering optimized spaces for both local and digital work environments, designed for productivity and comfort.
To better connect the Global Tower with the city, we relocated the main entrance to the building’s corner, added a public-use space, and designed a two-story foyer. The auditorium in the prominent adjacent building by Norman Foster is available for use by Global Tower tenants, exemplifying the tower’s dialogue with its surroundings. Along the long flank, we retained sufficient space for the entrance and exit of the underground parking garage, carefully incorporated into the existing structure. The office floors on levels 5 through 14 are organized around a central core at the intersection of the two high-rise slabs, offering flexibility to meet tenant needs. From private offices to open-plan layouts, the design accommodates all forms of New Work. One of the key challenges was refurbishing the listed facade. In collaboration with Werner Sobek, we upgraded it to meet modern technical standards while preserving its distinctive, elegant 1970s aesthetic.
