Frankfurt’s Europaturm Faces Permanent Closure Without Urgent Funding

A race against time to save a landmark. Without last-minute funds, Frankfurt’s tower could join others lost to decades of neglect—while rival cities move forward.

, and Administrator

2025 December 27 . 10:14 AM

1 min read

In the picture we can see a building which is collapsed and top of the picture there is clear sky.

Frankfurter Fernsehturm remains closed - Frankfurt’s Europaturm Faces Permanent Closure Without Urgent Funding

Germany’s iconic TV towers are seeing mixed fortunes when it comes to public access. While only four—Berlin, Düsseldorf, Dortmund, and Stuttgart—still welcome visitors, efforts are underway to revive others. However, some, like Frankfurt’s Europaturm, face an uncertain future due to financial hurdles.

Frankfurt’s Europaturm has stood closed since 1999, despite once hosting a revolving restaurant and a nightclub. A feasibility study pegged the cost of reopening at around €50 million. The federal government offered to cover half the expenses, but only if the state of Hesse and the city of Frankfurt matched the funds. With the federal commitment set to expire at the end of 2025, the project remains stalled.

The tower’s observation deck spans 3,000 square meters, offering space for Germany’s highest rooftop terrace with sweeping views of Frankfurt’s skyline. Yet, without the necessary funding, reopening looks unlikely.

Meanwhile, other cities are making progress. Hamburg is nearing the end of its building permit process, while Dresden is preparing to launch its own reopening project. Munich’s tower is also expected to welcome visitors again soon. However, Mannheim’s tower will shut to the public at the end of the year, joining Frankfurt, Cologne, and Nuremberg—all closed for over two decades.

The future of Frankfurt’s Europaturm hangs in the balance as the funding deadline approaches. If no agreement is reached, the tower will remain off-limits, unlike those in Hamburg and Dresden, where plans are advancing. For now, only a handful of Germany’s TV towers stay open to visitors, with others either reopening or facing permanent closure.