As a pioneer of the Frankfurt skyline, WestendGate serves as the interface between dynamic business culture and urban diversity. We fully tapped into the potential of this prestigious skyscraper and reimagined the building from the underground parking garage to the rooftop. The comprehensive revitalization left no opportunities for optimization untapped. Starting with the striking redesign of the entrance area and the façade - both visually and energetically enhanced in collaboration with a3lab/Asterios Agkathidis - to the high-quality interior fit-out of the now fully occupied rental floors. Inspired by the organic structure of surrounding trees, a new sculptural canopy creates a distinctive transition from the 160-meter-high building to the urban space, leaving the most impressive impact on the staging of the entrance and the redesign of the lobby.
The existing building, originally an ensemble of three transposed, differently tall high-rise buildings, reflects the architectural style of the 1970s. With a rental space of 25,000 square meters, we have aesthetically and functionally revitalized the now sustainable office and hotel high-rise property. Located prominently on Frankfurt's western main traffic route, between the exhibition grounds of the Frankfurt fair and the Westend district, the new address was first established through the redesign of the entrance area. The removal of many small-scale elements in the base zone and the relocation of the underground garage entrance allowed the building and its forecourt to assert themselves equally in the urban context.
This elegance is also translated into the newly designed wayfinding system: Clear and representative lines guide visitors from the exterior grounds and the underground garage through the elevators to the entrance areas of the rental spaces throughout the high-rise. From the outside to the inside, a state-of-the-art object was created, serving as a striking gateway to the Westend, where its architectural history was continued without negating its origins.
The full leasing to reputable national and international companies - even before the completion of the final works - demonstrates that the tenant fit-out at WestendGate meets the requirements for modern and representative office space. The conversion and expansion of the office and hotel floors also involved a logistical masterly performance. It became particularly visible when considering that the work took place while the hotel with more than 580 rooms and a highly frequented conference floor was still operational, along with the already leased office spaces. The construction management of Just Architekten developed methods for a very careful renovation to consider the different quiet and work phases of the overnight guests and business people. Noise monitoring played a crucial role and required a high level of communication and coordination between the construction site, tenants, and the client.
