Theresienhof
Inspired and Reinterpreted
  • Location
    Munich
  • Project
    New construction of an office and retail building with underground parking
  • Client
    Theresienhof GmbH & Co. KG c/o Quantum Projektentwicklung GmbH
  • Architect of record
    Caspar Schmitz-Morkramer
  • Project controlling
    MasterPlan Projektconsulting und -management, München
  • Technical building equipment, structural engineering
    Seidl & Partner Gesamtplanung, Regensburg
  • Fire protection
    Müller-BBM, Kerpen
  • Landscape architecture
    Landschaftsarchitekturbüro Büro Freiraum, Freising
  • Planning and construction period
    2011–2015
  • Service phases
    1–4, 5 (key details), 8 (concept lead)
  • Gross floor area (AG/BG)
    5.490 m²/1.990 m²
  • Certifications
    DGNB Silver
  • Photos
    Stefan Müller‐Naumann
  • This project originates from the time meyerschmitzmorkramer worked together.

In 2015, we realized a sophisticated ensemble of office and commercial buildings for Quantum AG in Munich’s Maxvorstadt district. The six-story front building, crowned with a rooftop level, elegantly completes the block’s perimeter. Its eaves and plinth heights reflect those of an adjacent historic building designed by Munich’s esteemed architect, painter, and writer Leo von Klenze. Inspired by the stylistic elements and materiality of the prestigious buildings along nearby Ludwigstrasse, we reimagined classic natural stone with a contemporary twist to ensure a harmonious overall aesthetic. Additionally, the Theresienhof features a three-story staggered garden house that penetrates the block’s interior, creating tranquil urban retreats with its garden courtyards and rooftop terraces.

Connected in Detail

The upper floors and rooftop of the Theresienhof offer 5,400 square meters of office space, configurable into two or three separate units per floor, depending on the layout. These flexible floor plans support a variety of furnishing styles, allowing the creation of tailored spaces for individual, group, or open-plan offices based on tenant preferences. Central access to all offices is through a natural stone-clad foyer on Theresienstrasse. A strategically placed stairwell, featuring two elevators and essential ancillary rooms, serves to connect the front building and the garden house. A distinctive feature of Theresienhof is its integration of landscaped outdoor areas across four levels on the courtyard side, enhancing the building’s structure. The design incorporates a selection of native plants and trees, natural materials, and the tranquil setting of the inner courtyard, crafting serene oases in both courtyards and on the roof terraces. Additionally, the garden courtyards are accessible from the ground-floor commercial spaces, offering significant added value, especially for restaurants.

Keeping the Rhythm

The goal was not merely to fill a gap with the new construction but also to seamlessly integrate old and new elements. The building’s perforated facade, crafted from sand-colored natural stone, echoes the distinctive architectural features of the neighborhood. Above the first and fourth floors, a finely profiled horizontal cornice aligns with the neighboring building’s structure, creating the illusion of a continuous base despite the staggered floors. The window reveals are recessed into the natural stone, and the sills extend slightly outward, adding subtle depth to the building’s envelope. Throughout, wooden window profiles enhance the facade’s premium material quality. The facade design extends to the ground floor, where the shopfront windows reach down to the pavement in front of the retail and café spaces, ensuring a cohesive look with the entrances. The main entrance, offset and recessed diagonally across two window axes, is a discreet yet welcoming feature that blends smoothly with the facade. Similarly, the entrance to the underground parking is subtly incorporated into the building’s uniform grid facade, maintaining aesthetic continuity.

Project team