The fact that the workers in the excavation pit continued to work despite the ceremonial laying of the foundation stone was almost symbolic on Friday.

A lot of time has already been lost on the long journey to the "Wohnturm Kureck" with the prestigious address "Taunusstraße 1".

It is necessary to catch up at least to some extent.

Oliver Bock

Correspondent for the Rhein-Main-Zeitung for the Rheingau-Taunus district and for Wiesbaden.

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The previous building, the high-rise office building for R+V Versicherung built in 1971, had already been demolished in 2016.

Wiesbaden's largest employer moved to Erbenheim in 2010.

Mayor Gert-Uwe Mende (SPD) recalled the lively urban development debate of the time, according to whom the 70 meter high R+V tower with 19 floors was “burned deeply into the collective memory” of the citizens as a landmark.

Mende also recalled the discussions leading up to the controversial decision in 2014 to build a residential tower instead of an office tower.

New landmark for Wiesbaden

The building, designed by the Swiss architect Max Dudler, was supposed to have been growing since the end of 2019 and, together with the listed neighboring buildings from 1907 and 1952 as well as the new Adina Hotel, should form "an entrance situation for the new city quarter on the slope of the Adolfsberg".

But after Heidelberg-based IFM Immobilien AG sold the project three years ago for an undisclosed price to FBW Projektbau, a subsidiary of the Dreieicher FBW Group, things initially came to a standstill.

Now, of all things, things are continuing in a phase in which construction logistics and construction prices are making life difficult for all investors.

Nevertheless, FBW owner Fabrizio Floresta spread optimism at the laying of the foundation stone, even though the project is complex and demanding.

He spoke of a new landmark for Wiesbaden.

The work on the approximately 60 meter high tower should be completed by 2024.

Half of the 66 condominiums between the fourth and 21st floors have been sold.

80 percent of the buyers come from Wiesbaden or the immediate vicinity.

Some have even secured two or more apartments, ranging in size from 71 to 476 square meters.

With roof garden, concierge and dog shower

A boarding house is to be located on the first three floors.

In the lobby there will be a concierge service, among other things, but also a “washing station” for dogs.

All residents have access to the roof garden.

According to their own information, the FBW Group, which was founded in 2005, is investing 100 million euros in the residential tower and other outbuildings along with the underground car park.

The square in front of the residential tower will remain car-free and will be planted with plane trees, like those that line Wilhelmstrasse.

The Lord Mayor praised the laying of the foundation stone as a "signal that progress is being made", and architect Dudler, after 15 years of discussion, planning and preparation, spoke of a "miracle that things are finally getting started".

Dudler sees the tower as a sign of desirable consolidation.

In Europe, the landscape would have to be protected and the cities made denser.

The residential tower not only stands for "a great ensemble" at the end of Wilhelmstraße, but is also a symbol that the city center is also a residential area.

The center of Wiesbaden has always been living space.