BASIC PLUS **
In order to better divide and utilize space, we plan to make changes to the structure of the building. Where necessary and appropriate, we will supplement and expand the existing building. We will reorganize the space and optimize its layout and accessibility. Access points will be relocated or newly created in order to develop an attractive overall concept for the property and increase its market value.
| LOCATION | Wilhelm-Leuschner Str. 24, Frankfurt am Main |
| TYPE | Revitalization and expansion of an office building with restaurants, retail units, and underground parking garage |
| CLIENT | DV Gamma 1 GmbH & Co. KG |
| AREA | 32,800 gross floor area sqm oi, 11,600 gross floor area sqm ui |
| CATEGORY | Office building |
| PLANNING AND CONSTRUCTION PERIOD | 2015–2017 (meyerschmitzmorkramer) |
| SERVICE PHASES | 1–8, partially 9 |
The headquarters of Deutsche Vermögensverwaltung (DVAG) on Windmühlstraße/Wilhelm-Leuschner-Straße is located between Frankfurt's railway station district and the Main River, on the edge of Frankfurt's banking district. A former back office building of Dresdner Bank, the ground floor areas are sealed off from public space due to the bank's security requirements, with decentralized access on Windmühlstraße. The DVAG headquarters on Münchener Straße is only a few meters away – this building had long since become too small, and the more than 1,000 employees, who were spread across several rented buildings in Frankfurt's city center, were to be brought together in modern office spaces at this location.
From the outset, it was clear that DVAG would need to make structural changes to the existing building in order to meet user requirements. At the same time, the desire was for this revitalized building to be in no way inferior in quality to the holding company's new building in Marburg.
The decentralized location of the main entrance on Windmühlstraße inevitably leads to long distances and poor orientation in such a large building structure. Our answer to this structural problem is a new central, two-story entrance on Wilhelm Leuschner-Straße, extending the central courtyard. This entrance is not only more attractive from the outside, but also allows internal access via the elevator cores on the left and right, taking the shortest possible route.
Building construction
• New event space in the former inner courtyard
• New foyer as part of the reorganized access area
Facade
• Replacement of ground floor facade
• New entrance hall and special uses on the ground floor
• Color scheme of the facade adapted inside and outside
• Recoating of the turquoise window profiles on site
Technology
• Cooling ceilings, mechanical ventilation, and raised floors
• Replacement of technical systems
First, an inspection of the façade had to be carried out. After many years of use, the possible alternatives of replacing the entire façade, replacing only the windows, or retaining the façade had to be carefully weighed up.
There was no question that the ground floor facade needed to be largely replaced due to the new entrance hall and special uses. But what is the right approach to the very large office facade in terms of energy efficiency and sustainability? On the one hand, it is a high-quality natural stone facade, but on the other hand, it has turquoise window profiles – a fashion trend of the 1990s.
From a technical point of view, the façade was in good condition in terms of quality. However, after examination, the insulation thickness, which was too low by today's standards, and the mediocre U-values of the windows, which were also due to the age of the building, did not justify replacing the façade – neither from the point of view of resource conservation nor from the point of view of investment costs.
However, there was agreement that the color scheme of the façade needed to be adapted both inside and outside. An economical solution had to be found. Various types of film were tested on existing windows on site. Local painting proved to be the best quality and most economical solution.
The office space was stripped back to the shell and completely refurbished. The resulting open-plan office structures with elegant glass walls, redesigned ceiling surfaces, and attractive meeting points as appealing communication areas in the interior zones bear no resemblance to the functional and uninspiring cubicle office structures of the former bank.
All technical systems were replaced and now meet the standards of comparable new buildings with cooling ceilings, mechanical ventilation, and raised floors.
DVAG holds a large number of internal and external events for customers and employees. Therefore, there was a desire to create a large, versatile event hall within the building. It quickly became clear that such a column-free space was not feasible within the existing structure. We
therefore developed the concept of building over the central courtyard in direct extension of the new foyer, which can thus also be used as an antechamber to the new hall. The lighting of this hall from above creates a high-quality spatial experience, and the entire area has developed into an attractive "marketplace," a place for external and internal communication that gives DVAG a structural "face."
