F.A.Z. Tower: UBM celebrates top-class groundbreaking ceremony for new landmark in Frankfurt’s Europaviertel
Frankfurt, 9 September 2020 – UBM Development has laid the cornerstone for the headquarters of Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (F.A.Z.). In a festive ceremony attended by prominent guests, including the Hessian State Minister President Volker Bouffier and Frankfurt’s Lord Mayor Peter Feldmann, the traditional time capsule was buried at the construction site in the Europaviertel. The F.A.Z. Tower office project, which is under development together with Paulus Immobiliengruppe (25%), is scheduled for completion in 2022.
The guests at the ceremony were greeted with a surprise: the delivery of the traditional time capsule via drone over Frankfurt’s skyline. The time capsule was then buried at the construction site, and the cornerstone was laid for the new headquarters of the renowned Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.
A stylish glass tower for Frankfurt’s skyline
With nearly 30,000 m² of gross floor space, the new F.A.Z. Tower will rise to a height of over 60 metres and also include 280 parking spaces. This high-rise, which was designed by Eike Becker_Architekten, consists of two slim cubes which turn against their own axis and are pressed together. One half of the building faces the east and the high-rise skyline through a cantilever extension, while the other half looks towards the west and the Europagarten. The design links the west with the east and, at the same time, creates an architectural commitment to the European idea.
“Ideal conditions for the tasks ahead“
“Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung has had – and will continue to have – a decisive influence on the media landscape in the Federal Republic of Germany. And this doesn’t just happen anywhere, but right here in Hesse, up to now in the Hellerhofstrasse. The first issue was published on 1 November 1949, roughly 71 years ago. Since then, FAZ has produced leading journalists and intellectuals who enrich the culture of discussion in our Republic. We are proud that one of the most important media companies has chosen Hesse as its home. Our newspaper landscape is currently undergoing a radical transformation, and publishers will need to set a new course in the future. The new F.A.Z. headquarters in the Europaviertel is a symbol of this change and will offer ideal conditions for the tasks ahead. I wish the newspaper, and the clever minds that are always behind it, all the best for the new location and for the future“, said Hessian State Minister President Volker Bouffier.
Frankfurt’s Lord Mayor, Peter Feldmann, added: “The new tower will blend harmoniously with the development of the Europaviertel along the eastern edge of the Europagarten. The construction of a new publishing house underscores Frankfurt’s standing as a media centre and is also a commitment to excellent journalism from the heart of Europe for Germany, Europe and the world.“
Thomas Lindner, Managing Directzor of F.A.Z. explained: “The F.A.Z. success story will continue in this new building. We want to preserve what is good but also be open to new ideas – and, with our highly motivated and innovative team, lead F.A.Z. into a profitable future. Our new home will provide the setting for all this. In the F.A.Z. Tower, where the most important and influential analyses, opinions and commentaries will soon be created and sent around the world through printed and digital media.“
“The new F.A.Z. Tower is currently our largest office development, and we are pleased to create a new landmark for Frankfurt with this prestigious project“, commented Thomas G. Winkler, CEO of UBM Development.
Christian Paulus, Managing Director of Paulus Immobiliengruppe, added: “We are proud that we were able to steer this outstanding construction project for F.A.Z. successfully through these turbulent times and want to thank everyone involved for their untiring commitment.“
UBM Development creates real estate for Europe’s top cities. The strategic focus is on green building and smart office in major European metropolitan areas like Vienna, Berlin, Munich or Prague. With over 145 years of history, UBM is a one-stop provider for the entire development value chain from initial planning all the way to marketing. The company’s shares are listed in the Prime Market of the Vienna Stock Exchange, the segment with the highest transparency requirements.
For additional information contact:
Anna Vay, CEFA
Head of Investor Relations & Corporate Communications
UBM Development AG
Tel.: +43 664 626 13 14
Email: public.relations@ubm-development.com
Sven Hoffmann
Head of Marketing Germany
UBM Development Deutschland GmbH
Tel.: +49 30 930 299 255
E-Mail: deutschland@ubm-development.com
