Project Description
FROM THE ARCHITECT:
The former industrial harbour of Offenbach, a city by the River Main approximately 5km upstream from the historic city centre of Frankfurt, Germany, is blessed with an advantageous location and scenery. Surrounded by water, a new city district is being created. The urban planning concept envisions the strong connection to the water and the existing city, as well as the experience of the rough harbour past as basic design principles. The plaza by the harbour is certainly the centrepiece of the development, supporting the rejuvenation of the industrial site through a mix of retail, housing and office spaces, and positively enhancing the adjacent Nordend neighbourhood through the addition of new, publicly accessible blue-green open spaces.
Offenbach Harbour has the potential to become one of the most exciting, new urban developments worldwide. The site’s location is a key factor. The project site offers a high quality of life for residents, with optimal access and public transport connectivity. Noise and pollution levels are reduced and to the Frankfurt city center it’s a convenient 20 minutes bike ride along the river Main. The city of Offenbach has a distinct opportunity to present itself as modern, sustainable, creative and environmentally friendly. The rough charm of the former industrial harbour – with its large, rusted steel construction remnants and a towering steel crane – is a unique identifier that recalls the site’s industrial roots along the water’s edge.