On October 22, 2019 a real estate event of ULI Germany took place in Frankfurt with the title “Iconic Buildings – Ambassadors of a City”. The expert discussion was hosted by the Urban Land Institute Local Council Frankfurt on the 41st floor of MesseTurm.

Paul Jörg Feldhoff (Feldhoff & Cie. and ULI Local Council Chair Frankfurt) and host Tobias Börsch (OFFICEFIRST) spoke at the beginning of the event. Mr. Feldhoff and Mr. Börsch asked which factors would probably lead to an icon of urban development and pointed out which landmark projects come to mind in the metropolises of the world.

Afterwards Prof. Dr. Martin Wentz, Sebastian Schöll and Florian Reiff discussed the topic “Iconic Buildings” for more than one hour. Among other things, these questions were discussed:

• How does a building become an Iconic Building?
• History or architecture, location or use – there are many factors. Do we manage to promote or even plan the iconisation of a building?
• How strongly does it determine the future handling of the building fabric?
• And what effects do Iconic Buildings have on a city?

Panelists (from left to right)

• Prof. Dr. Martin Wentz (Bürgerstiftung Neue Oper Frankfurt i.G., Former Head of Planning City of Frankfurt and Managing Director WENTZ & Co. GmbH)
• Sebastian Schöll (Managing Director KSP Jürgen Engel Architekten)
• Florian Reiff (Managing Director Tishman Speyer Germany)

Moderation: Stephanie Baden, ULI Germany/Austria/Switzerland

After the event more than 100 participants had enough time for networking and exchange of ideas. If you wanted, you could also get a copy of Messeturm – The Reload. This publication describes the advantages that the MesseTurm will have after its renovation.