Mystery about Munich's former high-rise: Will it remain empty?

Mystery about Munich's former high-rise: Will it remain empty?

The Siemens high-rise at Baierbrunnerstrasse 103 in Munich-Sendling has set a sad record in recent years: it has been empty since the Siemens Group left in 2006. Once the tallest office building in the city at 75 meters high and 23 floors, the high-rise is now a shadow of its former self. The city council approved a development plan in March 2023 that provided for renovation and extensions, but the plans have now faltered. Loud Mercury The new owner, the Swiss real estate company Empira, now has other ambitions: instead of office space, they are planning to build a hotel and a boarding house.

However, the new plans represent significant deviations from the already approved development plan. The city of Munich is now faced with the difficult decision of whether to agree to these changes or take legal action to prevent the building from becoming further orphaned. The high-rise is a listed building and has been a sad sight in the cityscape for years.

The current state of affairs

There has been little movement at the Siemens high-rise in recent years. The tactical steps to convert it into office space did not work, which is why converting the high-rise building into residential space was ruled out. Nevertheless, there are already commitments from office tenants for the upper floors, such as Evening newspaper reported. But a planning freeze, imposed in 2024, could further delay developments as banks require a pre-letting rate of 50 percent.

It is also interesting that the planned new buildings - a boarding house with 174 rooms and a hotel with 187 rooms - are to be built higher than originally approved. The northwestern extension will even be increased from 17 to 22 meters and the southern extension from 14 to 18 meters. This raises concerns among both the urban design commission and architectural experts. The proportions and finesse of the new buildings have already attracted criticism.

The role of monument protection

Monument protection plays a crucial role in the future of the Siemens high-rise. As long as it is listed, there will be additional challenges when converting it. The high-rise has a long history: It was built in 1963 and was a symbol of Siemens' innovative strength for many years. Today, however, it is more than just an empty building - it is a monument of industrial architecture and should be treated with a certain sensitivity.

In summary, the Siemens high-rise stands between two fronts. On the one hand the urge for new use, on the other the historical significance. The city has an important decision to make, while Empira's plans are on shaky ground. The focus on new investment is clear, but the height and shape of the new buildings pose a challenge that is attracting the eyes and ears of both city developers and residents.