Revitalisation of Leopoldstraße 7 – CSMM Transforms Munich Office and Commercial Building into Contemporary Architecture
Re:build the future! On the occasion of its 20th anniversary, CSMM adopted this motto as its guiding principle. Instead of demolition, the planning and consulting company consistently focuses on developing future-ready scenarios for existing buildings – as demonstrated by the transformation of a 1980s building on Munich’s Leopoldstraße. Through a comprehensive renovation including gutting, vertical extension, a new façade, innovative spatial planning and efficient densification, CSMM creates tangible added value for users and the city.
This building is part of Munich’s urban history: in the 1980s, Leopoldstraße 7 housed the legendary Café Extrablatt, run by society columnist Michael Graeter – the inspiration behind the cult TV series Kir Royal. Today, it is home to the Bar Giornale – and will remain so. With this revitalisation for Quest Investment Partners, CSMM combines climate action with cultural identity, generating social value on multiple levels.
CSMM transformed the outdated structure into a future-oriented piece of architecture: expanded office spaces, additional outdoor areas in the upper floors, and an energetically optimised façade significantly enhance the location. The redesigned open spaces – with preserved poplar trees, new greenery, and 26 bicycle parking spaces – further improve the urban quality.
Situated on a corner plot in Munich’s prime inner-city location, close to the Maxvorstadt district, Ludwig Maximilian University and the Academy of Fine Arts, the site offered great potential for gastronomy and commercial uses. CSMM developed a concept that fosters a dialogue between modern architecture and its surroundings. A new building concept was created for the outdated façade and floor plans, including LEED Gold Core & Shell certification. The existing technical infrastructure was preserved and resource-efficiently upgraded.
The new façade features a suspended structure of light-hued metal pilasters combined with generous glass surfaces and textured balustrades. The result: a clear, contemporary form with strong urban character that connects with its context. The ground floor façade opens up to Leopoldstraße and integrates the historic restaurant frontage.
Through façade removal and extension of the floor slabs, CSMM created modern, light-filled office layouts. The previously recessed mansard roof was converted into a full office floor, and a sixth storey was added. Both levels include spacious rooftop terraces as extended work and recreation zones.
The restructured office spaces enable flexible configurations with open and closed areas. Hallways designed as communication zones run the full length of the building, heated and cooled via ceiling sails, offering ideal conditions for modern work environments. Communal and meeting areas with access to the terraces complement the concept.
This transformation not only preserves embodied carbon (grey energy) but also creates a contemporary workspace – already fully leased. At the same time, a piece of Munich’s urban history remains alive: notably the Bar Giornale, which continues to serve as a cultural touchpoint.
“Our collaboration with Quest Investment Partners shows the potential of sustainable development to create architecture of opportunity – ecologically responsible, economically viable, and open to future adaptation,” says Reiner Nowak, Managing Partner at CSMM.
CSMM’s Approach: Four Key Measures
1. Façade removal and slab extensions in all floors (by 0.5 to 1.0 metres) to enable deeper, more functional office layouts
2. Relocation of structural framework to the interior while retaining the core and implementing an efficient, high-quality new building envelope
3. New façade and structural grid system to allow flexible space planning
4. Conversion of the mansard roof into a full office floor plus an additional storey with rooftop terraces as extended workspaces
