Frankfurt’s architectural history is a captivating blend of tradition and modernity. Dating back to the Roman era, the city’s original settlement, Nida, showcased early Romanesque structures. However, it was in the Middle Ages that Frankfurt flourished, with timber-framed houses adorning the cityscape. The Renaissance left its mark, epitomized by the historic Römerberg square. The 19th-century witnessed grand neoclassical buildings like the Städel Museum. Tragedy struck during World War II, decimating much of the city’s heritage. Post-war reconstruction birthed modern skyscrapers, earning Frankfurt the nickname “Mainhattan.” Today, the city boasts a mesmerizing skyline, fusing contemporary masterpieces with a few surviving historical gems..
Below is our list of the MUST-SEE Architecture in Frankfurt. We hope you find it useful as you walk its sun-soaked streets (there’s a map at the bottom to guide you around). If you want to see your photo featured, hashtag #AVONTUURA or #mustseearchitecture on Instagram.
Onwards!
Contemporary Architecture
European Central Bank
Visiting Information
Architect: Coop Himmelb(l)au
Built: 2014
Type: Office
Address: Sonnemannstraße 20, 60314 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Open to the Public: Yes
Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:30am – 5:30pm
Website: www.ecb.europa.eu/home/html/index.en.html
Commerzbank Tower
Visiting Information
Architect: Foster + Partners
Built: 1997
Type: Shopping Center
Address: Kaiserstraße 16, 60311 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Open to the Public: Yes
MyZeil Shopping Mall
Visiting Information
Architect: Studio Fuksas
Built: 2009
Type: Shopping Center
Address: Zeil 106, 1. UG- 7. OGU-Bahn Station Hauptwache, 60313 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Open to the Public: Yes
Hours: Monday – Wednesday: 10:00am – 8:00pm, Thursday – Saturday: 10:00am – 9:00pm
Website: www.myzeil.de/
Gesellschaftshaus Palmengarten
Visiting Information
Architect: Martin Elsaesser and Ernst May (modernist remodeling), David Chipperfield Architects (Renovation)
Built: 1928, 2002 (renovated)
Type: Botanical Garden
Address: Palmengarten der Stadt, Siesmayerstraße 63, 60323 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Open to the Public: Yes
Hours: 9:00am – 6:00pm, Daily
Website: www.palmengarten.de/
Tropicarium
Visiting Information
Architect: unknown
Built: 1987
Type: Greenhouse
Address: Siesmayerstrasse 61, Frankfurt, Hesse, Germany
Open to the Public: Yes
Hours: 9:00am – 6:00pm, Daily
Website: www.palmengarten.de/
Museum for Communication Frankfurt
Visiting Information
Architect: Behnisch Architekten
Built: 1990
Type: Museum
Address: Schaumainkai 53, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Open to the Public: Yes
Hours: 10:00am – 6:00pm, Daily (closed Mondays)
Website: www.mfk-frankfurt.de/
Museum Angewandte Kunst (Museum of Applied Art)
Visiting Information
Architect: MeierPartners
Built: 1985
Type: Museum
Address: Schaumainkai 17, 60594 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Open to the Public: Yes
Hours: 10:00am – 6:00pm, Daily (closed Mondays)
Website: www.museumangewandtekunst.de/
The Docks
Visiting Information
Architect: Meixner Schlüter Wendt
Built: 2022
Type: Office
Address: THE DOCKS, Lindleystraße 8, 60314 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Open to the Public: Yes
Hours: 8:00am – 6:00pm, Monday to Friday
Evangelische Akademie Frankfurt
Visiting Information
Architect: Meixner Schlüter Wendt
Built: 2022
Type: Religious
Address: Römerberg 9, 60311 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Open to the Public: Yes
Hours: 9:00am – 4:30pm, Monday to Friday
Kindergarten at Henninger Park
Visiting Information
Architect: Meixner Schlüter Wendt
Built: 2021
Type: Dar Care
Address: Am Wassertempel 17, 60599 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Open to the Public: No
Architect: Studio Fuksas
Built: 2009
Type: Shopping Center
Address: Zeil 106, 1. UG- 7. OGU-Bahn Station Hauptwache, 60313 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Open to the Public: Yes
Hours: Monday – Wednesday: 10:00am – 8:00pm, Thursday – Saturday: 10:00am – 9:00pm
Website: www.myzeil.de/
Architect: Coop Himmelb(l)au
Built: 2014
Type: Office
Address: Sonnemannstraße 20, 60314 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Open to the Public: Yes
Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:30am – 5:30pm
Website: www.ecb.europa.eu/home/html/index.en.html
