With several days of celebrations, the ROSA-ALSCHER Group and Vonovia have opened the ZAM neighbourhood centre in Munich-Freiham. Following a launch event with partners and representatives from politics and civic society, the official ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on 23 October. Around 20,000 visitors attended the supporting programme around Mahatma-Gandhi-Platz, which featured stage performances, children's activities and a light show.
Across four construction plots, the quarter brings together living, working, local amenities and dining. Both project partners are responsible for two plots each. In total, the ensemble comprises around 470 apartments, approximately 18,700 square metres of office and commercial space, and roughly 25,000 square metres of lettable space for retail and food services. While the first shops opened in advance, the initial tenants have also already moved in.
Architecture and structural development
The urban design competition for the site was won in 2019 by the Hamburg office Störmer Murphy and Partners, following the acquisition of the plots by the ROSA-ALSCHER Group in 2018. The architectural concept deliberately avoids an enclosed shopping mall. Instead, the commercial units open onto the square and the pathways of the quarter through arcades around ten metres high. A residential tower standing roughly 65 metres high forms a distinctive landmark. Green inner courtyards complement the publicly accessible areas.
The development was delivered under challenging economic conditions. Following the laying of the foundation stone in July 2022 and topping-out ceremonies in 2023, the construction timeline was shaped by the pandemic, supply chain disruptions, rising building costs and the turnaround in interest rates. At the opening, Dr Alexander Rosa-Alscher pointed to the site's transformation from a former meadow into a vibrant centre, stressing that the lasting success of ZAM will ultimately be judged by how well it functions in daily life over the coming years.
Housing stock and local infrastructure
Across Vonovia's development plots, 332 flats and 27 commercial units were created. These units provide living space for just under 1,000 people and represent a good five per cent of Vonovia's total housing stock in Munich. According to the company, the apartments are now almost fully let. Robert Stellmach, head of Vonovia in Bavaria, described the project as a noticeable contribution to easing pressure on the Munich housing market. Sebastian Kriesel, chairman of the Aubing-Lochhausen-Langwied district committee, also highlighted the importance of ZAM in providing amenities for the growing development area.
- —DGNB Gold and LEED Gold certifications for the ZAM SPACES and ZAM LIFE building sections
- —Integrated mobility offering including charging infrastructure for electric vehicles and car sharing
- —Short walking distances between residential units, retail and everyday amenities around Mahatma-Gandhi-Platz
The involvement of the stakeholders is set to continue beyond completion. Working alongside commercial tenants and partners in neighbourhood management, there are plans to continually evolve the local offering to permanently establish the neighbourhood centre as a lively focal point in Munich-Freiham.
