Der Neue Zollhof building is a superb specimen of Frank Gehry’s asymmetric postmodern style, its three leaning towers rising dramatically over Dusseldorf’s Harbour.
Designed by the world-famous architect Frank Gehry as part of the renovation of the Medienhafen riverside district, the Neue Zollhoff is a landmark of modern Dusseldorf. Its three interconnecting structures replaced a former customs building on the riverside and have a total footprint of 29,000 square metres.
Frank Gehry’s other designs include the Guggenheim Museum in New York and LA’s Walt Disney Hall. His characteristic style is reflected here in the curved lines of the structures, their bulging windows and irregular sloping floors giving them the appearance of modernist sculptures. Each building is covered in a different materiel, distinguishing them from each other whilst the bends and interconnected design join them into a cohesive whole.
Amateur photographers might want to book a place on a photo tour led by an experienced guide who will point you towards the best locations for shooting spectacular shots. The central building of Der Neue Zollhof is particularly eye-catching – with its metallic finish creating a dazzling exterior as it catches reflections from the water’s surface and reflects the shapes and colours of the buildings on either side. Other buildings worth photographing in the area include Capricorn House, with its expansive glass walls and red temperature panels, and the imposing Rhine Tower.
Der Neue Zollhof is situated in the Medienhafen area, just a few minutes’ walk from the Rhine Promenade. It can be easily reached by public transport or as part of a boat tour along the Rhine.
