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On 4 September of this year, the highest point was reached on the PalaisQuartier complex in Frankfurt. On the roof of the historic Thurn und Taxis Palais that is currently being re-built, representatives from the construction companies involved in the project raised their glasses to the PalaisQuartier in a topping-off ceremony. After the traditional word-of-thanks speech and the placement of the maypole wreath, 1,500 guests toasted to the successful future of the Quartier. With this beautiful tradition, Bouwfonds MAB Development GmbH expressed its gratitude to all those involved in the construction for their contribution in ensuring that the project went entirely according to plan.

The high-profile, multifunctional PalaisQuartier project unites old and new, and offers an urban environment with a total surface area of 226,650 m². Thecomplex consists of the restored historical edifice Thurn und Taxis Palais, a hotel tower, an office tower and a shopping center. PalaisQuartier is located on the Zeil, one of the busiest shopping streets in Germany. The PalaisQuartier hotel and office towers were designed by the architects Engel and Zimmermann.

The shopping and leisure world of the shopping center was designed by the Italian architect Massimiliano Fuksas.

The new Frankfurt shopping paradise will open its doors in February 2009. The office tower, hotel tower and the renovation of the Thurn & Taxis Palais willall follow during the course of 2009.

Special construction

The shopping center features an unusual glass roof construction of approximately 13,000 square metres where, over the last few weeks, over 140 mountaineers worked on the completion. Thanks to the roof construction and the building’s primarily transparent façades, there is a great deal of natural light entering the building. Another first is the nearly 50-meter long Expressweg, Europe’s longest free-hanging escalator, right in the middle of the building.

On a total surface area of 77,000 m², distributed over eight stories, the shopping center offers a wide range of top international brands. The design of the individual spaces has been left to the tenants. In addition to the shopping center, the PalaisQuartier also offers room for major culinary achievements and leisure-time activities. This makes a tour through the shopping centre a total experience. “Approximately 85 percent of the available space has already been leased. Interested parties should hurry if they would still like to get their hands on space in this unique piece of real estate,” according to Steffen Höhn, Retail & Marketing Director at Bouwfonds MAB Development GmbH.

With a rental space of 33,000 m² (approximately 11,000 m² of which has already been pre-leased), the office tower gives the city center a unique structure while offering its tenants a breathtaking view of the skyline. The 96-meter high five-star hotel (22,000 m²) in the heart of Frankfurt will offer 25 stories of
luxury with a skyline view. At present, exclusive negotiations have begun with a hotel operator and an investor with regards to the hotel tower. An underground facility will offer 1,390 parking spaces, 900 of which will be available for public parking.

New historic city centre in Frankfurt: Thurn und Taxis Palais The Quartier’s showpiece, the Thurn und Taxis Palais (11,000 m²), will be restored to its former glory at the end of 2009. In the reconstruction of the building, historic architecture is combined perfectly with modern design.

Plaster and façade elements lend a unique character to the exterior.

Construction Management

The PalaisQuartier project is a joint venture between Bouwfonds Property Development B.V. and Meyer Bergman Ltd., and is being realized by Bouwfonds MAB Development GmbH & Co KG via the project organization PalaisQuartier GmbH & Co KG (formerly Frankfurt HochVier GmbH & Co KG).

Source: Bouwfonds MAB Development