The development of high-rise buildings in Europe and generally around the world, has strongly changed since the “City Escape”, which was accompanied by industrialisation. The original needs, to place as many people as possible in urban areas and large cities, moved almost to the background.
The times, when during the industrialisation the high-rised buildings were constructed for the lower social class or when prefabricated buildings were built as residential high-rise buildings with modern-life environment for all, are passed. Urban housing has become a new and modern-kind of spiritual-name. People are now living in urban style. Politicians and investors of the metropolis are trying to overtrump each other in order to show their wealth and prestige. The economic efficiency of such buildings is questionable, but not of great interest, since the presentation of power and growth is a priority.
The art of building high-rise buildings
In the 20’s the most of the high-rise buildings in Germany were built in the style of expressionism. This type of architecture is a German phenomenon and brought in northern Germany the special form of brick expressionism. Through the use of round, serrated and echelon forms and ornaments a special plasticity was created. These constructed high-rise buildings were designed as a total work of art. The design and equipment was continued fancifully throughout in the interior. Many architects of this time served sculptures as well as craftsmanship building methods as a way of inspiration. Sculptures are included as relief figures on the facades and belonged to a handcraft par excellence. The high-rise buildings of this genre were more likely earmarked for either academic institutions or arts and cultural sites.
A particularly beautiful example for round building forms is the ‘Einstein tower’ in Potsdam-Babelsberg, which was built by the architect Erich Mendelsohn between 1919 and 1922. He was considered to be revolutionary at that time. The tower telescope is now operated by the Astrophysical Institute of Potsdam.
High-rise buildings for industry
The economic boom – the so-called “Golden Twenties” – made sure, that the industry sought a growing desire for market control and elimination of competition. Finished goods and machine engineering were the majority of German exports from Germany and then developed into an industrial country. Large companies started building skyscrapers. The first skyscraper had 11 floors and was constructed between the years of 1915 and 1916 for the Carl Zeiss AG in Jena. Other expedient skyscrapers for the emerging industry should follow.
Living trend – the future of urban life
Shouldn’t be the original idea of the modern habitat taken back? For clarity: in 1800 only 3 % of the world’s population lived in the city. In 2025 the number will probably reach 60 %. 50 years ago there were only 2 metropolitan areas with 8 million inhabitants: London and New York. Today we are talking about 30 mega cities globally with more than 10 million inhabitants.
Most skyscrapers were designed as office towers, whereas banks, airline companies and hotels are tenants or owners. Now, however, the actual use of residential skyscrapers will be taken up again. Empty skyscrapers found a new use and are equipped with luxury apartments with all mod cons.
Regarding Berlin: 16 new high-rise buildings are planned within the next couple years.
Urban apartments for upper class 
On the other hand, new luxury buildings arise in top locations, which usually are second homes for typical jetsetters and might even be called ‘sky-castles’. The best example here is the highest and the most expensive luxury skyscraper of the world, which was built in Manhattan on Park Avenue, with 96 floors and only 104 apartments. Even the top floor had the proud price of 95 million US Dollars. Most buyers of these luxury apartments are foreigners. The project of 1,3 billion US dollars is only for the elite of the elite and at the same time a symbol of omnipotence under all circumstances. The trend of building luxury towers in Manhattan is obviously nothing new. All around midtown, there are new high-rise buildings, towers and skyscrapers that are being developed and make the rich live under the motto ‘Living in the Sky’.
