Dr Alexander Rosa-Alscher, founder and managing director of the ROSA-ALSCHER Group, recalls the project’s beginnings: “I still remember this site as a meadow. Today we are standing in the new centre of Freiham.” It is not the scale of the project alone that matters, he says, but above all whether people come together at ZAM.
The ROSA-ALSCHER Group acquired the site in 2018. The architectural competition was won in 2019 by the design from Störmer Murphy and Partners. Following the laying of the foundation stone in July 2022, topping-out ceremonies for the individual building sections took place in 2023. The first shops opened as early as 2024. The opening celebrations, lasting several days, now mark the completion of a project that has been several years in the making under challenging circumstances: the pandemic, disrupted supply chains, significantly increased construction costs and the rise in interest rates all accompanied the project’s realisation.
Open architecture and a hub for the neighbourhood
The ZAM combines living, working, local amenities and dining across four buildings. The shops open out onto Mahatma Gandhi Square and the paths through the neighbourhood, rather than being housed in a closed shopping centre.
Arcades around ten metres high characterise the architecture, whilst green courtyards complement the public spaces. The residential tower, standing around 65 metres tall, is a striking landmark in the neighbourhood. The complex was designed by Störmer Murphy and Partners.
For the Hamburg-based architectural practice Störmer Murphy and Partners, which was responsible for the design of the ZAM, the opening also marks an important milestone following six years of intensive project work. The planning centred on the idea of an open part of the city. Accordingly, the practice attached great importance to designing the paths, squares and arcades between the buildings just as carefully as the buildings themselves.
A total of 332 flats and 27 commercial units have been built on the two development sites developed by Vonovia. The flats provide accommodation for just under 1,000 people and, according to the company, account for a good five per cent of Vonovia’s portfolio in Munich. The company’s housing stock in the ZAM is now almost fully let.
“Today is a special day for Vonovia. 332 new flats provide a home for just under 1,000 people. This is a significant contribution, particularly in Munich’s tight housing market,” said Robert Stellmach, Vonovia’s Head of Bavaria. “Here at Mahatma-Gandhi-Platz, living, working and socialising come together. As a long-term owner, we will remain a reliable local partner in the future.”
Contributing to urban expansion and long-term neighbourhood development
Sebastian Kriesel, Chair of the Aubing-Lochhausen-Langwied District Committee, also spoke at the opening. He thanked those involved in the project for their courage in implementing a scheme of this scale and highlighted the importance of the ZAM as a contribution to urban expansion and to serving the new Freiham district.
Together with the tenants and partners in the neighbourhood management team, the aim is to further develop services and create new opportunities for people to come together. The concept includes short distances between different facilities, green open spaces and a mobility scheme featuring charging infrastructure and car-sharing. The ZAM SPACES and ZAM LIFE building sections each hold DGNB Gold and LEED Gold certifications. Looking ahead to the coming years, Rosa-Alscher made it clear during the celebratory evening that the commitment does not end with the opening. She stressed that it is crucial for the ZAM to function well not only on opening day, but also on an ordinary weekday ten years from now.
The celebrations, which lasted several days and attracted around 20,000 visitors, brought the public nature of the ZAM to life. With a ceremonial ribbon-cutting, entertainment, a children’s programme and a grand prize draw, the opening programme was explicitly aimed at tenants and the local community as well. Retail, catering and publicly accessible spaces are set to enrich neighbourhood life in the long term.
