The European Central Bank's plan to locate its new headquarters in Frankfurt's former fruit and vegetable market has been criticised by the family of the architect of the landmark 1920s building, the Financial Times has reported.
The European Central Bank's plan to locate its new headquarters in Frankfurt's former fruit and vegetable market has been criticised by the family of the architect of the landmark 1920s building, the Financial Times has reported.
The building was designed by Martin Elsaesser, one of the most important architects of the Weimar republic who was noted for his expressionist style. His descendants, the FT said, are exploring the possibility of launching legal action to force the ECB to rethink its EUR 500 mln redevelopment plan. The ECB hopes to transform the 220 metres-long and 24 metres-high building into an 'architectural symbol for the European Union'.
The new design conceived by Vienna-based architects Coop Himmeblau would involve a 45-storey skyscraper alongside the original Grossmarkthalle market hall and the construction of a cantilevered structure across the body of the main building.
'Our aim is not to stop the project but to change it,'said Konrad Elsaesser, an executive coach in Frankfurt and a great-nephew of the original architect. Family members told the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper that the plans as they stand would amount to 'wanton destruction' of the listed building. The Grossmarkthalle also played an unwitting role in the darkest pages of German history when it was used as a collection point for Jews being sent by the Nazis to concentration and death camps during World War II.
The ECB said it has promised to preserve the Grossemarkthalle's 'fundamental appearance'.