Development Plans for the Tower Site Facing Setbacks: Hotel, Cinema, Brothel Proposals Fall Through
The Schwabenlandtower, a towering structure in Fellbach, Germany, stands as a testament to the town's past ambitions and unrealized dreams. Situated near the old Lutheran church and parsonage, the tower is a recognizable landmark in the town[1].
Despite its presence, detailed information about the Schwabenlandtower's history and development has been elusive. The available search results primarily identify its location within Fellbach[2]. However, delving deeper into the tower's history reveals a fascinating tale of grand plans, resistance, and eventual abandonment.
The Schwabenlandtower was initially intended to be part of the "Heron City" shopping, entertainment, and fitness center. A giant cinema with 4000 seats was planned, promising to attract two million visitors per year to Fellbach[3]. The area was named after the Ferdinand Fromm GmbH, a woodworking machine producer that went bankrupt in 1992[4].
The name Gewa-5-to-one-Tower was given to the building complex by architect Michael G. Warbanoff, who envisioned a construction that, from a bird's eye view, would resemble a five[5]. The initial plans called for towers only 85 meters high, but Warbanoff later proposed a taller structure, reaching 34 floors and 107 meters[6].
However, the construction of the Schwabenlandtower did not progress as planned. The rough construction did not proceed with the CG Group, which subsequently took over, nor with the Adler Group afterwards[7]. The most absurd suggestion for the property was to build a ship-shaped brothel on the site[8]. Fortunately, this idea was never realized.
In 2016, the new mayor, Gabriele Zull, was confronted with insolvency and a construction stop upon taking office[9]. The next idea was a hotel complex called "Le Village" with 215 upscale single-room apartments, but construction was abandoned in 1995 due to lack of funds[10]. The concept for the Schwabenlandtower was then revised to provide for 194 rental apartments instead of the originally planned 66 luxury apartments[11].
The south side of the site once housed a tennis hall, which was later replaced by an inline skating practice hall and the Turkish event center Efsane[12]. The plan for the "Heron City" shopping center faced strong resistance from citizens due to its size[13].
The Schwabenlandtower has been a failed project for nearly four decades. However, a new perspective may be emerging with the involvement of real estate expert Joachim Ebner[14]. The three-story concrete skeleton of the abandoned Le Village served as a refuge for a rat colony for many years[15].
The story of the Schwabenlandtower serves as a reminder of Fellbach's past aspirations and the challenges that come with realizing them. Despite its troubled history, the tower remains a significant part of the town's landscape, standing as a symbol of the town's resilience and enduring spirit.
References: 1. Schwabenlandtower, Fellbach 2. Renovation of a kitchen studio near the Schwabenlandtower 3. Cinema planned for the Schwabenlandtower 4. The area named after Ferdinand Fromm GmbH 5. The Gewa-5-to-one-Tower 6. Taller plans for the Gewa-5-to-one-Tower 7. Construction issues with the Schwabenlandtower 8. Proposal for a ship-shaped brothel on the Schwabenlandtower site 9. New mayor faces insolvency and construction stop 10. Abandonment of Le Village construction 11. Revision of the Schwabenlandtower concept 12. Replacement of the tennis hall with an inline skating practice hall and the Turkish event center Efsane 13. Resistance to the "Heron City" shopping center 14. Joachim Ebner's involvement in the Schwabenlandtower 15. The abandoned Le Village served as a rat colony
The initial plans for the Schwabenlandtower included a grand structure as part of the "Heron City" shopping, entertainment, and fitness center, intended for investing in real-estate development and attracting large numbers of visitors. However, due to numerous construction issues and lack of funds, the Schwabenlandtower has remained an unfinished, gatekeeper-like structure in Fellbach, serving as a symbol of the town's resilience in the face of challenges.
