Living on former bunker area: ABG builds 42 subsidized housing units
A long-vacant site in Frankfurt’s Gallus neighbourhood is set to become a new affordable housing development. ABG Frankfurt Holding has launched the project, which will transform a former World War II bunker into 42 subsidised apartments. The €16 million scheme aims to address the city’s pressing need for low-cost homes.
The development will rise on a 2,000-square-metre plot at 10 Herxheimerstraße. Plans include a four-storey residential building, designed by Schneider+Schumacher to blend into the area while keeping existing trees and green spaces. Every apartment will fall under the first-tier subsidy programme and meet passive house energy standards.
Construction officially began on December 18, 2023, with a groundbreaking ceremony led by Marcus Gwechenberger and Frank Junker. ABG Frankfurt Holding has appointed Züblin as the main contractor, with completion scheduled for late 2027. The building will also feature a photovoltaic system, using solar panels on the south-facing roof to provide tenant electricity through Mainova’s model. The project is co-funded by the city of Frankfurt and the state of Hesse. Its location ensures easy access to schools, parks, and leisure facilities, reinforcing the neighbourhood’s community-focused design.
The first tenants are expected to move in by the fourth quarter of 2027. All 42 units will remain permanently subsidised, offering long-term affordable housing. The scheme marks another step in ABG Frankfurt Holding’s efforts to develop sustainable, community-oriented living spaces across the city.
