European Central Bank

  • Building services consulting for new high-rise landmark in Frankfurt.
  • Energy and climate consultancy for 185m-high tower.


When the European Central Bank announced its intention to build a new headquarters in one of Europe’s most important financial cities, Arup agreed to support Coop Himmelb(l)au, the Austrian architects from Vienna.

A double tower with a polygonal shape was judged the winner in the international competition.

Planned to soar 185m above Frankfurt, and located in the city’s Ostend, the tower will be built adjacent to and integrated into the refurbished Grossmarkthalle (wholesale market) and will be a stunning addition to the Frankfurt skyline.

The design consists of the inner twisted double tower, the former big market hall and a ‘cantilever’ connecting the market hall to the high-rise building and highlighting the entrance. Both buildings are connected by a full height atrium for internal communication. This atrium between the towers will create a ‘vertical city’ of platforms with aerial spaces, plazas and pathways.

After providing consultancy and planning in building services engineering during the competition and optimisation phases, Arup was contracted to provide energy and climate design.

Working collaboratively with all project participants, Arup has ensured that the building will be energy-optimised, offering users of the building a localised optimal room climate.

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  • Aerial view rendering of the twisting double towers situated in Frankfurt. Credit RTT.

    Arup's work ensures that the impressive new headquarters of the European Central Bank in Frankfurt will be energy optimised. © ESKQ.

  • Rendering of interior atrium between double towers. © ISOCHROM.com, Vienna.

    The interior atrium connecting the towers will create a 'vertical city' of platforms with aerial spaces, plazas and pathways. ©ISOCHROM.com, Vienna.

  • Aerial view rendering of the twisting double towers situated in Frankfurt. © RTT

    The twisting double towers of the new headquarters of the European Central Bank will be a stunning addition to the Frankfurt skyline.