Düsseldorf, Germany
The former Commerzbank high-rise, centrally located in Düsseldorf, was renovated and repurposed by HPP Architekten in accordance with the preservation order and made fit for the future as a hotel for KONDUS ERSTE Immobilienbesitz.
The Conversion Commerbank High-Rise has recently been awarded a 2022 International Architecture Awards Honorable Mention by The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies.
Its 206 rooms, foyer and bar area on the ground floor, and a spacious roof terrace have been created on the 13 floors.
Built at the beginning of the 1960s by the Düsseldorf architect Paul Schneider-Esleben, the high-rise building complemented the Commerzbank’s German headquarters in Düsseldorf at the time.
It was connected to the headquarters on the opposite side of the street by a glass bridge that is still existing.
In 1998, the building was listed as a historic monument, partly because of its innovative curtain wall. It is considered the first element of a high-rise façade nationally.
The prefabricated, anodized aluminum panels are characterized by strikingly rounded window openings and could be attached to the building without an additional frame construction.
As part of the conversion, the facade was renovated in close consultation with the listed building authorities. In the process, the building’s original aluminum panels were dismantled, refurbished, and installed in new facade elements for their second life.
The façade was able to retain its historical appearance while meeting the most modern standards of energy efficiency and user comfort.
Essential to the effect of the building, apart from the structured facade, is the powerful exposed concrete structure above the ground floor, on which the upper floors almost seem to float.
The impressive construction is visible from the street through the added, fully glazed outer shell of the lobby.
The 13-story high rise was designed with an imposing structure overhanging the drivable forecourt. With the first car counter of a bank building, the tower hovered above this car-friendly square area.
Today, it is flanked by two buildings and meets the demands of an urban city space. The former traffic areas below the tower were integrated into the hotel’s use concept through a light glass facade in such a way that the areas of the plaza visually expand into the hotel lobby.
The former office building had been empty since around 2005.
Thanks to the revitalization, it is now awakening to new splendor in its old charm on one of Düsseldorf’s most prominent streets.
From the beginning of planning to the handover to the tenant RUBY, all processes regarding sustainability and ecology have been audited by the DGNB.
All building materials were assessed for possible emissions and approved for installation. In order to minimize operating costs and increase user comfort at the same time, the guest windows can be opened.
To achieve an optimal energy standard, the building was connected to the district heating network of the city of Düsseldorf with a combined heat and power system.
This made it possible to achieve the self-imposed primary energy factor of 0.3 and at the same time minimize CO2 emissions.
Project: Conversion Commerbank High- Rise
Architects: HPP Architekten GmbH
Original Architect: Paul Schneider-Esleben (1915-2005)
General Contractor: KONDUS ERSTE Immobilienbesitz GmbH & Co KG
Client: KONDUS ERSTE Immobilienbesitz GmbH & Co KG
Photographers: Ralph Richter
