Overview of the High‑Rise Development Plan (HEP2024)
The High‑Rise Development Plan 2024 (HEP2024) is Frankfurt am Main’s updated strategic framework for guiding vertical urban growth. Developed by the City’s Department of Planning and Housing together with lead coordinator AS+P Albert Speer + Partner GmbH, the plan was adopted by the city executive on 19 April 2024 and approved by the city council on 13 June 2024. It replaces the previous plan last updated in 2008 and defines 14 new high‑rise locations concentrated in the Banking District and the East End around the European Central Bank.
Shift Toward Mixed‑Use High‑Rise Development
HEP2024 marks a deliberate move away from monofunctional office towers toward mixed‑use developments. The plan identifies over 500,000 m² of additional office space potential, but emphasizes integrating publicly accessible ground floors, community‑enhancing functions, and public spaces at building bases. Sustainability standards are heightened, aiming to create livable neighbourhoods rather than isolated towers. Notably, the plan does not allocate new sites for purely residential high‑rise buildings, reflecting concerns about residential towers serving mainly as investment assets with low occupancy.
Planning Teams and Technical Contributions
Two parallel planning teams produced the technical studies: AS+P Albert Speer + Partner GmbH together with AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, and 03 Architekten GmbH in partnership with Thomas Müller Ivan Reimann Gesellschaft von Architekten mbH and EBP Schweiz AG. Their work covers site‑specific analyses, sustainability assessments, mobility considerations, and urban climate impacts, forming a comprehensive document set for each of the 14 locations.
Key Quantitative Data and Framework Conditions
- 14 new high‑rise locations in two clusters.
- Over 500,000 m² of potential office space.
- No new residential high‑rise sites designated.
- Binding framework conditions in Annex 4 (Anlage 4) set requirements for public ground‑floor access, community functions, and sustainability benchmarks.
Sustainable Urban Impact and Recognition
The plan’s integrated approach to sustainability, mobility, and urban climate earned the ICONIC AWARD 2025 from the German Design Council in the Concept category. The award highlighted the plan’s contribution to a greener, more socially inclusive skyline. All documents, including development concepts and site profiles, are publicly accessible on the Frankfurt City Planning Office website.
Connectivity and Mobility Enhancements
HEP2024 includes provisions for improved mobility, linking the new high‑rise clusters with existing public transport networks. Emphasis is placed on reducing car dependency, promoting cycling infrastructure, and ensuring that new developments support pedestrian flows and public transit usage.
Institutional and Political Context
The plan was adopted by the Magistrat (city executive) and ratified by the Stadtverordnetenversammlung (city council), reflecting strong municipal commitment. The involvement of internationally recognised planning firms and research institutes underscores Frankfurt’s aim to set a benchmark for sustainable high‑rise development across Europe.
Conclusion for a Pan‑European Audience
For stakeholders interested in sustainable housing and urban development, HEP2024 offers a model of how a major European city can reorient high‑rise construction toward mixed‑use, environmentally responsible, and community‑focused outcomes. The plan’s quantitative targets, stringent framework conditions, and award‑winning design illustrate a forward‑looking strategy that balances economic growth with the need for livable, climate‑resilient urban spaces.