City Quarters Development: Concrete Plans for Former Mainz GFZ-Kazerne
Mainz Announces Major Urban Development Project: "Quartier am Pariser Tor"
Mainz, a city known for its rich history and vibrant culture, is set to undergo a significant transformation with the development of a new urban quarter named "Quartier am Pariser Tor". This ambitious project, announced by Economic Commissioner Manuela Matz (CDU), is a strategic investment in the vision for Mainz.
The Quartier am Pariser Tor is planned as a large-scale urban development project, featuring a comprehensive mix of residential, childcare, research, and urban design components. The development will include approximately 1,200 residential apartments, providing new living spaces within the district. To support families living in the neighborhood, there will be childcare infrastructure capable of accommodating around 150 children.
One of the key features of the Quartier am Pariser Tor is the development of two BioNTech campuses, totalling about 40,000 square meters. BioNTech, described as the "innovation engine" of the city, will contribute to the area's function as a knowledge and innovation hub. The former GFZ barracks, located in the Goldgrube/Freiligrathstraße area, will become a quarter where innovation, research, and urban life are intertwined.
The Quartier am Pariser Tor also prioritizes green spaces, with designated green and park areas. It emphasizes permeable open spaces that promote urban ecology, reflecting sustainable urban planning principles. In addition to residential units and research facilities, the development will also include a quarter garage, a supermarket, kindergartens, a new local administration, and affordable housing for federal employees, with the BImA retaining a 16,000 square meter area for this purpose.
The City of Mainz has purchased a 77,000 square meter site from the Federal Office for Real Estate (BImA) for the development of the Quartier am Pariser Tor. The site purchase was made after lengthy planning and negotiations. Construction on the site cannot begin until the old military buildings are demolished and contaminated sites are removed. The German Armed Forces vacated the GFZ barracks in 2023.
The development of the Quartier am Pariser Tor is expected to create a mixed-use environment combining living, working, childcare, and recreational spaces, supporting a vibrant and sustainable urban quarter. It reflects a modern, knowledge-oriented urban development strategy designed to meet diverse needs within Mainz’s city fabric.
- The Quartier am Pariser Tor, a major urban development project in Mainz, will house two BioNTech campuses, establishing it as a significant hub for science and health-and-wellness in the city.
- In addition to residential units and research facilities, the Quartier am Pariser Tor will also include a supermarket, kindergartens, a new local administration, affordable housing for federal employees, businesses like a quarter garage, and designated green and park areas, making it a comprehensive lifestyle destination.
- The development of the Quartier am Pariser Tor represents a strategic investment in the finance sector, as it will generate employment opportunities and contribute to Mainz's economic growth and real-estate market.
- The Quartier am Pariser Tor is poised to be a technological hub, with innovative infrastructure to support numerous research and development activities, making it attractive for tech-focused businesses and investors.
- As part of the urban development strategy, the Quartier am Pariser Tor is designed to promote home-and-garden lifestyles, encouraging a sense of community and sustainability within its residents and visitors alike.
