Macaulay Sinclair To Design DISTRIKT MARQUET Food Hall In Frankfurt

Compass Group/Food Affairs GmbH has appointed international interior architecture studio Macaulay Sinclair to design and deliver DISTRIKT MARQUET, a 3,000-square-metre culinary destination within the new FOUR Frankfurt district. The 600+ capacity food hall, spanning from Junghofstrasse to Grosse Gallus Strasse, will showcase a diverse selection of local and global food concepts, reflecting Frankfurt’s multicultural community.

Macaulay Sinclair was awarded the project after winning an international design pitch, with its concept blending mid-century charm and modern elegance. The space is designed to accommodate casual dining, corporate events, cooking classes, and evening entertainment, offering a dynamic environment for visitors.

A Landmark Culinary Destination

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.”

Balancing Heritage With Contemporary Design

Visitors will enter through a grand foyer, where original marble flooring with geometric patterns will be retained, complemented by striking spiral staircases on each side. Vendors will be carefully positioned to encourage exploration and guide visitors toward the main food hall.

Inside, the hall will feature mid-century influences, with clean lines, a mix of rich colours and playful furniture forms, and a large skylight providing natural light while framing the surrounding skyscrapers of FOUR Frankfurt. An organic-shaped mezzanine level will add verticality, offering intimate dining areas with elevated views across the hall. At the heart of the space, a central bar with a champagne-coloured stainless-steel frontage and marble counter will act as the focal point and social hub.

A New Benchmark In Food Hall Design

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 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 set to open in late 2025.