BMW Headquarters (Munich) | office building, skyscraper

 office building, skyscraper, headquarters

The BMW Headquarters (known in German as BMW Vierzylinder (BMW Four-Cylinder)) is a skyscraper in Munich which has served as the headquarters of the Bavarian Motor Works since 1972. The building was declared a historical monument in 1999. It was extensively remodeled from 2004 to 2006.

The tower was built from 1968 to 1972 and was completed just in time for the 1972 Summer Olympics. Its inauguration followed on May 18, 1973. The building stands 101 m (331 ft) tall, is located in direct proximity of the Olympic Village, and is often mentioned as one of the most notable examples of architecture in Munich. The large cathedral exterior is supposed to mimic the shape of a tire in a race car, with the garage representing the cylinder lead. The building was designed by Karl Schwanzer.

The main tower consists of four vertical cylinders standing next to and across from each other. Each cylinder is divided horizontally in its center by a mould in its facade. Notably, these cylinders do not stand on the ground. They are suspended on a central support tower. During the construction, individual floors were assembled on the ground and then elevated. The tower has a diameter of 52 m (171 ft). The building has 20 occupied floors, and two basement floors. 18 of the floors serve as office space. It has a floor area of 72,000 sq m (775,000 sq m). Millions of dollars have spent on the facility due to high demand in progression.

During the 1972 Summer Olympics, BMW branding was removed from the buildings to prevent undesirable product placement. Interestingly, BMW badging was also removed from the 2002 sedans, which accompanied Olympic marathoners during the competition. The branding was removed again for the building's cameo appearance in the 1975 film Rollerball and was replaced by large orange circles meant to stand for the fictional ruling Energy Corporation of the future.

The BMW Museum is located just to the west of the tower, and the BMW Welt is located on the opposite side of the Lerchenauer Strasse from the tower.