German Architecture: The Old School & The New School

Frankfurt’s architecture has a unique way of showcasing both its older heritage and its newer styles. On an evening downtown stroll, you can see Deutsche Bank’s towering headquarters, and right down the road is the Rothschild Family’s house with a custom-made grand piano from Vienna. This dichotomy of building styles reminds its citizens of the city’s extensive history and culture, as well as their continued progress toward the future. 

It seems that Frankfurt has taken a liking to having sleeker, modern designs while also maximizing utility for what is left of historic buildings. The front face framework is all that remains of the old Frankfurt town hall. However, they rebuilt new buildings behind the framework for commercial purposes while keeping the original face intact. It is a great symbol of the ideology of German engineering, both efficient and aesthetically pleasing. The contrasting environment between the town hall and the downtown area was also intriguing. There was music and the chatter of families near the town hall while it was eerily quiet downtown. Being a weekend day, it could have skewed the experience. All of this shows the importance of culture and heritage within this city as people gather in corresponding areas of significance to spend their off days. 

Image 1: “Hammering Man” Public Art

Image 2: Deutsche Bank Headquarters

Image 3: Rothschild Family’s Grand Piano

Image 4: Frankfurt Old Town Hall

Image 5: “One” Skyscraper