Multiple Generation Quarters on Frankenallee

Approximately two hundred years ago, the district Gallus, located in the West of Frankfurt, developed rapidly due to its close proximity to the central station. It was completed in 1888 and was already considered one of the biggest railroad crossings in Europe shortly after being put into operation. At about the same time, the industrialization started. It fostered the settlement of many industrial firms and craft enterprises, which largely characterized the district with its buildings up until the new millennium.

A noticeable change began about 20 years ago. The Deutsche Bahn vacated the almost 90 hectare large freight depot and as a result accelerated the depletion of production sites. The large-scale conversion turned the former industrial site to a vivid neighborhood with residential and office buildings, stores and hotels, as well as attractive green spaces.

The realized residential building project replaces a large car dealership in the heart of Gallus, which was located with its sales area, garage, and parking lot on an approximately 9,600 square meter property between Kriegkstrasse, Frankenallee and Floersheimer Strasse.

The multiple generation quarter was realized as part of the program “Social City”. The grounds offer diverse uses, consisting of apartments for families, singles, seniors, commuters, and students, as well as a retail unit, and a quarter gathering place.

The beginning of the planning process was signified by the success of three architectural firms in a design competition: Planquadrat from Darmstadt, Landes und Partner from Frankfurt, and Turkali Architekten.

The project consists of 17 single houses. Since they are aligned alongside the streets, they constitute as a clear perimeter development and encompass a sheltered inner courtyard that is available to every resident of the quarter.

Three buildings alongside Kriegkstrasse and the houses on the inner courtyard – an apartment building, a small single-family home alongside a firewall, as well as a redeveloped building for student living – are based on the design by Turkali Architekten.

Projections and recesses in the building cubature adjoin the new constructions along Kriegkstrasse to the existing buildings. A stonework plinth, facades of coarse-grained plaster, comb plaster at the window openings, and white window frames, as well as large balconies with steel rod railings characterize the appearance of the new structures.

The houses have separate entrances. Their facades are designed in a nuanced manner according to similar principles and feature differently colored light plaster.

Only the detached building on the inner courtyard displays a dark plaster surface and closed balcony railings, which strengthens its solitary appeal.