ONE FORTY WEST: Above the clouds

New high-rise offers amazing views with glass railings.

Residential balconies took center stage during the pandemic as they offered urbanites a safe way to enjoy the outdoors and even a chance to socialize. So the residents of Frankfurt’s new ONE FORTY WEST will no doubt have extra appreciation for their sky-high, glass-railed balconies. ONE FORTY WEST is located in the Senckenberg-Quartier of Frankfurt and offers spectacular views of the Taunus mountains and city skyline. The skyscraper combines an upmarket four-star-plus hotel, premiere restaurants, and upscale apartments that are on floors 24 through 40. The balconies wind their way upward in a helix, creating a highly distinctive look. Almost every apartment has a different floor plan due to the glass-clad balconies that twist around the building. Each apartment has floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows coupled with balconies that feature sleek glass railings made with Vanceva™ Ocean Grey and RB61 interlayers.

The extraordinarily tough interlayers used to create the glass railings ensure safety and solar protection on each balcony. The subtle grey color blends with the sky and sun without obstructing views. Architectural glass railings can dramatically enhance a building’s façade, and for occupants, the unobstructed views are priceless. Exposed edges have long been a challenge for manufacturers and installers, but advancements in both Vanceva and Saflex™ PVB interlayer products have resolved many of these issues.

Laminated glass comprised of these interlayers can withstand high humidity and temperature deviations between hot and cold climates without compromising the integrity of the laminate edge when properly laminated. At 145 meters, the building is now a landmark on the Frankfurt skyline. It stands as a timeless tribute to the importance of balconies as a means to embrace the outdoors.