Munich’s 155-Meter Towers Approved: Court Rejects Citizen Initiative
Munich, January 19, 2026 – The Bavarian Administrative Court has ruled that a citizen initiative aimed at preventing the construction of high-rise buildings in Munich is inadmissible. This decision paves the way for investor Ralf Büschl to proceed with plans to build two 155-meter towers near the Paketposthalle at Friedenheimer Brücke. These towers will surpass the height of the Frauenkirche, a landmark that has historically defined Munich’s skyline.
The ruling effectively ends a legal challenge brought by the “Hochhaus Stop” initiative, which included CSU state parliament member Robert Brannekämper. The initiative had gathered enough signatures for a new citizen referendum, but the city council had previously rejected its legality, leading to the court case.
Citizen Initiative Deemed Inadmissible
The Bavarian Administrative Court stated that the citizen initiative was inadmissible because the question posed to Munich residents lacked sufficient clarity. The question was: “Are you in favor of the City of Munich taking all legally permissible measures to ensure that no high-rise building over 60 meters is built in Neuhausen in the vicinity of the Paketposthalle?”
The court’s reasoning was that “for citizens, the question must make clear what measures the city would be obliged to take in the event of a successful citizen referendum. This is not the case here,” according to the court’s statement.
Reactions to the Court’s Decision
Robert Brannekämper, a proponent of the “Hochhaus Stop” initiative, called the decision “a black day for citizen participation.” He argued that the ruling would make citizen initiatives on all urban planning matters “almost impossible.”
Former Mayor Christian Ude (SPD), who in 2004 had sided with high-rise proponents but later pledged to respect the citizens’ decision, also expressed outrage. Ude criticized the perceived short lifespan of fundamental commitments and the court’s view of a city-wide decision as an “inadmissible interference in municipal self-government.”
However, Mayor Dieter Reiter (SPD) disagreed with Ude’s assessment. Reiter stated, “This decision is not a fundamental judgment against citizen participation – and it is certainly not a high-rise decision for all of Munich. It was about a single, ongoing development plan procedure on the Paketpost site. Anyone who claims otherwise is deliberately misleading the people of Munich.” Reiter emphasized that a clear, unambiguous, and enforceable question is essential for a citizen referendum, and this was lacking in the initiative’s proposal.
Despite the setback, the high-rise opponents are not giving up. Brannekämper announced that the judgment would be reviewed. This is not their first legal defeat, as the Munich Administrative Court had also previously deemed the citizen initiative inadmissible.
Project to Move Forward
Stephan Heller, who handles press relations for investor Büschl, welcomed the court’s decision, stating, “We have always said that the citizen initiative is inadmissible. We are pleased that the court has now confirmed this.”
Heller expects the city to now publish the development plan, making it legally binding. Following this, detailed planning will commence. This year, five architectural competitions are planned for the buildings on the site, including the two high-rises. These competitions will focus on the facade and interior design, rather than the fundamental structure.
Construction is expected to begin next year. The interim use of the Paketposthalle is likely to continue for the remainder of this year, Heller added.
This development marks a significant moment for Munich’s urban landscape, as the city embraces a new era of high-rise architecture, despite ongoing debates about its impact on the city’s character and citizen involvement in urban planning decisions.
