First 6 teams, including NMDA, 3XN, MAD Architects, to compete for Porsche residential tower

Luxury brand Porsche Design recently launched a closed invite-only competition to find the architect for their Porsche Design Tower in Frankfurt, Germany. The winning proposal will have the most fitting urban architectural concept along with ideas for the surrounding outdoor spaces. The project will be Porsche's debut in real estate in Europe.

Out of a goal of 20 participating architecture teams, the first six firms to compete were recently announced. They are:

• Delugan Meissl Associated Architects, Vienna (Austria)
• 3XN, Copenhagen (Denmark)
• Neutelings Riedijk Architecten, Rotterdam (The Netherlands)
• Stefano Boeri Architetti, Milan (Italy)
• MAD architects, Beijing (China)
• Neil M. Denari Architects, Los Angeles (USA)

More details below.

The plan for the residential tower includes: 150 to 200 apartments (gross floor area: 40,000 sqm (over 430,000 sq.ft.), "Porsche Design suites", fully furnished and exclusively designed boutique apartments, 1-to 5-room apartments, penthouse apartments, as well as 2-floor townhouses, which Porsche Design expects will appeal to domestic and international buyers and investors.

Parking spaces are located in an unusual multi-story parking garage that provides electric charging stations and car-sharing opportunities. Park-like outside areas will incorporate a landmarked water tower, a relic from previous railways.

Construction and sales are due to begin early 2016, with completion projected in early 2018.

Jury members include Michael Frielinghaus, Kees Christiaanse Rotterdam (The Netherlands), landscape architects, and representatives of the city of Frankfurt and the Porsche Design Group and from the project initiator ‘Planen und Bauen’.