City-Haus, Frankfurt

One of Frankfurt's numerous skyscrapers is City Haus, situated in the West End on Republic Square. This towering office building stands at a height of 142 meters and boasts 42 floors. Upon its inauguration, it held the distinction of being the second tallest building in Germany.

City Haus was designed by architects Johannes Krahn and Richard Heil, and construction was completed in 1974. The construction of City Haus stirred controversy, as some locals opposed the idea of high-rise buildings in this location when construction began. Furthermore, a fire in 1973 interrupted the construction process, causing delays in the building's completion. Initially, City Haus was named Selmi Hochhaus after its owner, Ali Selmi, who was of Persian origin. However, in 1976, the building was acquired by DG Bank, now known as DZ Bank. The bank later added a seven-floor extension called City Haus II in 1986.

In 2006, DZ Bank underwent extensive renovations on the building, collaborating with Frankfurt-based firm Christoph Mackler Architects. The result was a new facade that allowed natural light to penetrate, giving City Haus a fresh and eco-friendly appearance. Today, the building complies with European energy conservation regulations. Additionally, an art gallery within the building, accessible through a separate entrance, offers visitors the opportunity to view various exhibits.