Interior architecture studio Macaulay Sinclair has been appointed by Compass Group/Food Affairs GmbH to design and deliver DISTRIKT MARQUET, a 3,000 square-metre culinary destination within the new FOUR Frankfurt district.
Stretching from Junghofstrasse to the base of the highest tower on Grosse Gallus Strasse, the 600+ capacity food hall will offer a range of best-in-class local and global food concepts with a focus on celebrating the city’s diverse community culture.
Macaulay Sinclair was appointed having won an international design pitch, with the winning concept featuring a seamless blend of mid-century charm and modern elegance, while also creating a dynamic and versatile space that can accommodate casual dining, corporate events, cooking classes, evening entertainment and more.
Mike Sinclair, director at Macaulay Sinclair, said: “DISTRIKT MARQUET, set to open in late 2025, is expected to become a major attraction for both locals and tourists, emulating globally renowned venues such as Time Out Lisbon and Seven Dials Market in London. With around one million visitors expected per year, we are incredibly excited to be involved in a project of this scale and significance.
“The development stands on the grounds of the former Deutsche Bank Triangle, and while the iconic tower has been removed, significant historical elements have been preserved. A 1950s travertine building, now the grand entrance to DISTRIKT MARQUET, adds timeless elegance to the contemporary cityscape. As well as being heavily protected by heritage laws, which stipulate protective features must be visible within the foyer, we felt a strong responsibility to celebrate the past, while still crafting a contemporary and vibrant interior to the new food hall.
“The space needs to respond to different times of the day as well as the seasons and therefore careful consideration of lighting, acoustics, materiality, and seating styles is paramount. The design needs flexibility so guests are as comfortable at breakfast, during a business lunch or an intimate evening dining experience, notwithstanding the variety for different sized user groups.”
Entering the foyer, there will be a strong sense of heritage preservation retaining the original marble floor in a unique geometric pattern, with striking spiral staircases flanking each side of the foyer. Carefully positioned vendors will help navigate and encourage exploration to the bustling food hall beyond.
The main food hall evokes mid-century charm expressed through clean lines, honest materiality, and a mixture of playful furniture forms rich in colour and pattern. A large skylight will provide an airy ambiance while also framing the impressive views of the surrounding skyscrapers of FOUR Frankfurt.
A secondary organic shaped mezzanine level will add verticality, as well as intimate dining experiences and elevated views across the hall. At the heart of the space, a central bar will serve as the focal point and social hub, brandishing an eye-catching champagne-coloured stainless-steel frontage and marble counter.
Madjid Djamegari, CEO of Compass Group/Food Affairs GmbH, said: “Macaulay Sinclair’s contribution to the design pitch was outstanding, and not just because the studio presented a functional spatial concept straight away. But also, because in the conversations I had with Mike and his team, we quickly got on the same level and it was clear to me from the start that communication would be a key to success in this complex project. The development of the interior design did not come off the shelf, and was not a copy and paste of past projects. Through dialogue, Macaulay Sinclair designed a space for community that will become the benchmark for further projects of this kind.
“Macaulay Sinclair has developed a stringent, contemporary and well-considered interior design concept for DISTRIKT MARQUET in Frankfurt and I look forward to having the studio at my side as we continue our expansion.”
Macaulay Sinclair will begin the interior fit-out of the space this year, with DISTRIKT MARQUET due to open its doors in late 2025.
For more information about Macaulay Sinclair click HERE.
