The “Timber Peak” developed by UBM Development in the customs port of Mainz is taking shape. In the architectural competition organized by Zollhafen Mainz and UBM, the jury chose Sacker Architects from among the designs by six well-known architectural firms. Thomas G. Winkler, CEO of UBM Development AG: “A lighthouse project in the best sense of the word – for Mainz, the customs port and UBM.”
The 40 meter high Timber Peak is the first wood-hybrid high-rise in Mainz. On twelve floors, the building offers around 9,500 square meters of gross floor space with flexible floor plans for the new type of office use – and spectacular views of the harbor. There is also a basement with prepared e-charging infrastructure for up to 41 car parking spaces, a terrace on the 5th floor and a roof terrace with a panoramic view over the entire customs port.
“The idea of constructing a 40-meter-high office tower using a sustainable wood-hybrid construction method is part of our green strategy. smart. and more.”, explains Werner Huber, Managing Director of UBM Development Germany, “this approach also includes the highest level of building intelligence and architectural unique selling points, both in terms of aesthetics and flexible use of space. The winning design optimally fulfills these core requirements of UBM.”
With the Timber Peak, the first of four construction sites that were acquired by UBM in March in the customs port of Mainz is being implemented. A total of more than 42,000 m2 of floor space will be developed on these four construction sites, of which around 75 percent will be residential and 25 percent commercial/office. After the gradual implementation of these developments, UBM expects sales proceeds of more than €300 million.
The Timber Peak is not the first UBM project in the customs port of Mainz. The residential projects “Waterkant” and “Kaufmannshof” as well as the Super 8 Hotel have already been realized and sold. The “Flößerhof” project is currently under construction in partnership with CA Immo.
Timber Peak paves the way for CO2-optimized building construction and management thanks to its resource-saving wood-hybrid construction method. The intelligent building automation enables users to fulfill future reporting obligations for the EU taxonomy and other reporting obligations geared towards sustainability and energy optimization in an almost automated manner. The consumption and energy efficiency parameters are systematically recorded and made available.
Construction on Timber Peak is expected to start at the end of 2023. DGNB Gold certification and an energy efficiency standard according to KfW 40 requirements are planned for the building.
Christopher Höfler from Sacker Architekten says: “Timber Peak” is a great opportunity to show that the value of good architecture lies not only in its stylistic but also in its physical durability. We are very much looking forward to this construction task and to using the excellent material wood. We hope that as a flagship project it will become an inspiration for many other projects.”
Marianne Grosse, head of the Mainz city department for building, monument preservation and culture, expressed a similar view: “The customs port is a large and important development area for our city, particularly because of its inner-city location and the conversion of the port. As a dominant feature at the head of the harbor basin, the planning office succeeded in the competition process in forming an urban ensemble with the Pandion Doxx located on the southern end of the harbor. In this way, contemporary architecture and resource-saving construction are combined with the claim of a Baukultur identity.
Olaf Heinrich, Managing Director of Zollhafen Mainz GmbH & Co. KG, was pleased with the jury’s decision: “The design by Sacker Architekten impresses above all with its almost fragile lightness and the transparent effect of the floor-to-ceiling glazing. Despite the height of 40 meters, the building does not appear too massive and fits elegantly into the surrounding buildings.
