Markenhochhaus, Volkswagen administrative high-rise in Wolfsburg, Germany
The Markenhochhaus is a Volkswagen administrative building in Wolfsburg standing 73 meters tall with a red clinker brick facade punctuated by regular rows of windows. The 13-story structure houses office spaces, executive board areas on the top floor, and a vehicle presentation hall at ground level.
Construction of the building took place between 1957 and 1959 during Volkswagen's expansion period, establishing it as the company's administrative center. The structure became a defining example of post-war industrial architecture in the city.
The name Markenhochhaus, adopted in 2016 after an internal VW competition, replaced the older VW-Verwaltungshochhaus. The building also houses the management of VfL Wolfsburg-Fußball GmbH. In April 2012 Greenpeace activists reached the 13th floor and the roof to protest against Volkswagen's climate policy.
The tower closes the western end of the plant's clinker facade, with its narrow side facing south toward the Mittellandkanal; the VW heating plant with its four chimneys marks the opposite, eastern end. The main entrance was moved to the west side during the 2013–2016 renovation. The building stands on factory grounds and serves as the Volkswagen brand's administration, so the interior is not open to the public.
The roof logo measures about 8 metres across and weighs roughly 7.5 tonnes; it was last renewed in 2016 and 2019. The 2016 logo's cover was cut up and sold as bags at the Wolfsburg plant in February 2020. In April 2012 Greenpeace activists reached the 13th floor and the roof to protest against Volkswagen's climate policy.
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