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The 246-meter tall elevator-testing tower, opened in 2017, is specifically designed with the future in mind: With 12 testing shafts housed within its 21-meter diameter shell, engineers can test elevators at dizzying speeds of up to 18 meters per second. The tower firmly places Rottweil at the very hub of future urban vertical transportation.

Three shafts, each of them with a height of 100 meters, are dedicated to testing the innovative new MULTI systems. The MULTI elevator is the realization of a dream for operating multiple cabins simultaneously. It introduces mag-lev train technology to the elevator industry, increases shaft transport capacity by up to 50 percent, and dramatically reduces the elevator footprint in buildings.

Location of the future.

With an investment volume of more than €40 million, TKE underscores the region’s special importance: Together with the elevator plant in Neuhausen auf den Fildern, the test tower turns Rottweil into a high-tech innovation hotbed for elevator technology with a total of over 1,500 employees.

Pillars for future projects.

The 246-meter tall structure is used to test as well as certify elevator innovations, contributing to significant reducing the development time of future skyscrapers and those already under construction around the world. With 12 testing shafts and travel speeds of up to 18 meters per second, the tower offers unprecedented possibilities to meet the challenges ahead. Three shafts are dedicated to testing the revolutionary, cable-less MULTI elevator system.

Top-class appearance

The tower has a light and elegant appearance, despite its imposing height. Architects Helmut Jahn and Werner Sobek are using a cover made from fiberglass fabrics to hide the concrete shaft. The cover is closely meshed at the bottom, but gradually begins to reveal more of the tower as it goes up and reflects light differently depending on the time of the day and year. As a result, the appearance of the tower changes with the weather and the seasons.

A huge draw for visitors to the region

The region surrounding the research and development tower is home to one of the most prominent structures in southern Germany. The country’s highest public visitors’ platform is perched at 232 meters and offers a panoramic view, making it one of the biggest attractions for tourists visiting Baden-Württemberg.

Symbol of progress

As a structure of the technological age, the tower represents the art of TKE engineering. It’s also an important landmark in Rottweil, bearing relation to its historic medieval steeples and defense towers.

A dream in white – not only in winter

  • TKE makes cities more livable than ever before. The test tower in Rottweil is our most important research facility, where we are developing the first cable-less elevator that can travel both horizontally and vertically. A breathtaking view of the award-winning architecture and unique fiberglass membrane awaits visitors atop the 246-meter tall test tower. Have fun!

  • Take a look inside the test tower. Here you will find a 50-second “preview” of what awaits you in Rottweil.

Launch pad for groundbreaking projects

If you want to play an active part in shaping the future, you need top-class facilities. The new test tower offers us unprecedented possibilities with its array of high-tech equipment and features. It’s a unique research facility for us and a great destination for the people from the region.

In-depth insights

What lies hidden behind the facade? Click the markers to learn more. Taken together, the test shafts in our tower are more than two kilometers in length, the longest of which is 260 meters long.

Germany’s highest observation platform

Enjoy a breathtaking 360-degree panoramic view from the public visitors’ platform. If the weather is good, you can see all the way to the Alps.

Corporate events

Meet in Germany’s highest conference room to develop your future strategies. If you have a vision, you can move mountains. Rent the conference room for in-person events or as a site for virtual events.

Like going to the cinema

Our media lobby provides in-depth insights into the world of tomorrow. Find out interesting facts and information that will blow your mind.

Welcome to our visitors’ lobby

This is where we welcome guests before they set out on their unique journey.

A mammoth project completed in record time

One hundred engineers planned one of Germany’s most exciting construction projects, which was completed in under ten months by crews working in three shifts. A total of 15,000 cubic meters of concrete, 200 rock nails, and 2,640 tons of steel were used in building the structure.

Videos of the elevator-testing tower under construction

  • Time-lapse video of sliding formwork construction, with crews working seven days a week, three shifts a day.

Technical details

The test tower is remarkable in many ways. Click the markers and prepare to be amazed.

Elevator shafts: Future elevator solutions can be tested and certified in a total of 12 different shafts. At maximum speeds of 64.8 km/h, this happens under unparalleled conditions. The cable-less MULTI multi-cabin elevator system is being prepared for its future market launch here.

Observation platform: At 232 meters, Germany’s highest public observation platform offers visitors a 360-degree panoramic view. You can see as far as the Swabian Alb, the Black Forest, and, if the conditions are just right, all the way to the Alps.

Oscillation: Due to the natural forces of the wind, the tower can oscillate by as much 75 cm. A vibration damper is installed to reduce the amount of oscillation. It is the first and only one of its kind anywhere in active use. We use linear drives to make the tower vibrate in test trials. The tower’s natural frequency is approx. 0.2 Hz. Our test tower allows us to simulate real-life test conditions, which is ideal for developing the technologies of tomorrow.

Regenerative energy: Under certain load conditions, the installed cable elevators are able to generate energy whenever they’re in motion (regenerative mode). About 30 percent of the energy can be recovered this way.

Sliding formwork: To build the tower, we chose the most popular method for such projects: The sliding formwork is lifted up along with the work platforms on slide rods, rising with the tower with the aid of several hydraulic jacks. Pouring, reinforcing, and curing the concrete, which are part of every project of this kind, are completed without any interruptions as the structure is elevated. This helped us finish construction of the tower shaft in a record 68 days.

Facade: The PTFE-coated fiberglass fabric used to create the 17,000 square meter shell is a highly complex material: self-cleaning, durable, and practically transparent when viewed from a distance. It protects the structure from intense solar radiation as well as wind, and allows light to enter the tower in new and different ways every time. In addition, the tower’s aerodynamics were optimized, which reduces oscillations during stormy weather.

Our history

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Development plan procedure
The bidding process for the elevator-testing tower started in August 2013. After consulting with the local community in Rottweil, the urban development contract was signed in September 2014.
Groundbreaking ceremony
The company and the town of Rottweil marked the official start of the test tower’s construction with a symbolic groundbreaking ceremony. The municipal council had approved the statutes of the development plan the night before.
Laying the foundation stone
Shortly after presenting the innovative MULTI elevator system, the company laid the foundation stone for the test tower in Rottweil. Starting in 2016, the innovative new elevator system was fine-tuned prior to market launch in the test tower, making it a key pillar in thyssenkrupp Elevator’s global research and development strategy.
Foundation slab
The test tower’s foundation extends roughly 32 meters below ground. A total of around 30,000 cubic meters of material were excavated in order to erect the tower, which is equivalent to the volume of water required to fill approx. 70 25-meter swimming pools. The foundation slab is around two meters thick. 680 cubic meters of concrete and 100 metric tons of steel were used to create the slab.
Shell reaches 100-meter mark
The test tower in Rottweil reached a height of 100 meters in just two months thanks to the innovative sliding formwork system. The construction site was a local attraction in the region.
Shell reaches 200-meter mark
Construction was carried out seven days per week, 24 hours per day in three shifts.
232 meters = visitors’ platform reaches final height
The concrete tower shaft reached its full height of 232 meters, which is also the height of the observation platform. The final elements of the structure were added over the next two weeks.
Topping-out ceremony
After a construction time of just under ten months, thyssenkrupp Elevator and Züblin, who was responsible for construction, held a topping-out ceremony on 29 July 2015 for the unique elevator-testing tower in Rottweil.
Shell tops out at a height of 244.1 meters
On peak days, the building grew by up to four meters in height. Everyone involved was extremely dedicated and worked incredibly well together. This is not something you can take for granted in a project of this scale.
Start of interior work
In step one, the individual floor slabs were put into place, since a concrete tube, including the elevator shafts and walls, was first created using the sliding formwork technique, where the working platform grew upwards with the tower.
Installation of a 240 metric ton pendulum
With a newly installed vibration damping system, the tower then under construction now has one more technical highlight. On the one hand, this compensates for the weather-related movements of the 246-meter tower, and on the other hand, it can also simulate vibrations of other buildings, thus reducing the cost and time of complex tests.
Installation of the panoramic elevator to the platform
The panoramic elevator was installed, here still clearly visible through the glass shaft. In the future, visitors will use it to reach Germany’s highest observation platform (232 meters). After attaching the membrane, visitors can still see from out of the elevator during their ride up or down.
Start of research and development work in the tower
The handover by Züblin, who served as the general contractor, to thyssenkrupp marks the start of official research operations in the tower. In view of its role as a modern center of innovation for elevator technology, the test tower is on budget and on schedule.
World premiere: a MULTI elevator takes maiden voyage
In the Rottweil test tower, thyssenkrupp Elevator presents MULTI, the world’s first cable-less, horizontally traveling elevator. More than 160 years after the invention of the conventional elevator, the presentation of the first fully functional MULTI system is a step into a new era of elevator technology.
Test tower reaches its full height of 246 m
Installation of the first membrane elements has begun. The final height of 246 m is reached. The curved steel tubes that converge at a point on the side of the tower facing away from the town added the final 1.9 meters.
Opening of highest observation platform in Germany
On 7 October 2017, thyssenkrupp Elevator opens the highest observation platform in Germany on top of its test tower in Rottweil. At 232 meters, visitors can now enjoy a panoramic view of the Black Forest and Swabian Alb.
Completion of the membrane
The artfully twisted membrane, created from 17,000 square meters of fabric, has never been built in this form anywhere in the world. A work platform was specially designed, built, and tested by TÜV for installation of the membrane. From this, industrial climbers attached the outer shell to the test tower.
1st TOWERRUN
On Sunday, 16 September, the first TOWERRUN is held in the test tower, where contestants have to ascend the highest staircase in western Europe. The premiere is a great success, with Christian Riedl setting the course record of 6:56 minutes for 232 vertical meters and 1,390 steps.
First anniversary of platform
On the first weekend in October 2018, the test tower team celebrates the first successful year for Germany’s highest observation platform with all guests attending the event.
German engineering award for test tower
The award ceremony took place on 27 November 2018 at the Staatsgalerie Stuttgart. As announced by the Federal Ministry of the Interior, Building, and Community on 18 June 2018, the German engineering award for 2018 went to the engineering firm Werner Sobek Stuttgart AG for the thyssenkrupp test tower project.
Illumination begins on Valentine’s Day
A special premiere: On Valentine’s Day 2019, thyssenkrupp Elevator commissioned the lighting system at the test tower in Rottweil. The white-and-gold tower lights are turned on every night since then, except in certain weeks of the year when birds are migrating. To ensure a good night’s sleep for locals and the wild creatures in the area, the lights are turned off between 1 and 5 a.m.
2nd TOWERRUN becomes part of the German championships
Highest staircase run in western Europe in Rottweil: thyssenkrupp Elevator test tower is set to host German championships for the first time. Professional and amateur athletes from 18 countries feverishly awaited the prime event again this year. Despite opening the event up to more runners, the 1,000 slots were fully booked in just a few short hours.
2nd anniversary of platform featuring Pepper
On the second anniversary of Germany’s highest observation platform on 5 and 6 October 2019, Pepper is available to guests for selfies, quizzes, and jokes. thyssenkrupp Elevator wants to give visitors a new technology experience with the social robot.

Copyright: Pepper by SoftBank Robotics

500,000 tickets sold
Germany’s highest observation platform, at 232 meters above ground level, has become a permanent tourist attraction in the region, with 500,000 tickets sold since it opened its doors to the public. To safeguard the wellbeing of visitors and staff, the public visitors’ platform is temporarily closed in 2020/2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
1st virtual TOWERRUN
The thyssenkrupp Elevator TOWERRUN – the biggest staircase run in Germany and the final event of the German Tower Running Cup – had to be canceled for 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, the first virtual staircase was held, which was open to the public and free of charge. Whether you do ten steps or 10,000, the VIRTUAL TOWERRUN is all about running the tower in a group event. Photos will be posted on Instagram under #tketowerrun.
Three-year anniversary at the Rottweil test tower
On the weekend of the observation platform’s third anniversary, we publicly exhibited the largest 3D printed model of the Rottweil test tower. Visitors can see every detail of the architectural masterpiece up close and, of course, take photos with the tower, which is about 1.85 meters tall.
New brand identity for TK Elevator
After splitting off from the group in August 2020, the company presents its new brand identity, which emphasizes its independence.
FOUR-YEAR ANNIVERSARY AT THE ROTTWEIL TEST TOWER
The test tower appears in the new look of TK Elevator. The new logo conveys an energetic, optimistic atmosphere - a symbolised sunrise. TKE positions itself as a premium brand for excellent services in the lift industry.
TKE TOWERRUN
In 2020, the TK Elevator TOWERRUN was quickly transformed into a virtual tower run due to the coronavirus pandemic. In 2021, the TOWERRUN was unfortunately cancelled completely due to the ongoing pandemic. Fortunately, it was able to take place on site again in 2022.
FIVE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY AT THE ROTTWEIL TEST TOWER
TK Elevator has set new standards and developed a lift that is uncomplicated, convenient and future-proof. EOX is the new eco-efficient and digital lift platform from TK Elevator. We are bringing premium features to the standard segment and continuing to develop lifts that reflect the way we live and move around the world today - environmentally conscious and connected.
TKE TOWERRUN 2023
1,200 starters from 17 nations once again competed in an exciting race for the stair climbing crown. Japan's Tateishi Yuko won the women's competition in a new test tower record time of 9:08 minutes. The TK Elevator Towerrun is deliberately aimed at amateur runners, ambitious athletes and professional stair runners alike.
SIX-YEAR ANNIVERSARY AT THE ROTTWEIL TEST TOWER
To further boost future growth, TK Elevator is increasingly focussing on bringing new innovative solutions to the market in order to serve customer segments precisely and thus ultimately expand its constantly growing maintenance portfolio, which rose to more than 1.5 million units in the 2022/23 financial year.

The test tower has 1,390 steps and the highest public visitor platform in Germany at 232 metres. Every year, hundreds of runners climb to the top of the tower on foot in our annual Towerrun.

After the great premiere success in 2018, TK Elevator and the pulsschlag event agency organised the Towerrun and, for the first time, the German Stair Run Championships in Rottweil again in 2019.

The numerous top athletes who have registered promise an exciting race for the stairrun crown every year. The TK Elevator Towerrun is deliberately aimed at amateur runners, ambitious athletes and professional stair runners alike. The 1,390 steps up to Germany's highest viewing platform are something very special, even for experienced staircase runners, and are a challenge and an experience for every starter.

In 2020, the TK Elevator TOWERRUN was quickly transformed into a virtual tower run due to the coronavirus pandemic. In 2021, the TOWERRUN was unfortunately cancelled completely due to the ongoing pandemic. It has been taking place on site again since 2022. We would like to thank all participants and organisers for a successful Towerrun in September 2024!

The TOWERRUN in numbers

  • 2018

    Premiere: Highest staircase run in western Europe

  • 232

    Vertical meters

  • 1,390

    Steps

  • > 30

    Countries represented

  • 6:56 min

    Men's course record

  • 9:07 min

    Women's course record - New 2024!

Categories

Category Description
Individual run Starts every 12 seconds in a predetermined order.
Open to all runners, including elite athletes.
Two-person team run Open to all runners. Start in teams of two every 25 seconds.
The runners start and finish the race in tandem (the maximum distance between the two runners may not exceed one half-floor at the finish line).
Firefighter run with breathing gear Please note: Only for firefighters in top physical condition.
Start in teams of two every 40 seconds.
The runners start and finish the race in tandem (the maximum distance between the two runners may not exceed one half-floor at the finish line).
The run takes place in protective gear and a fully connected breathing apparatus.
Firefighters run without their breathing apparatus For ambitious firefighters
Start in teams of two every 40 seconds.
The runners start and finish the race in tandem (the maximum distance between the two runners may not exceed one half-floor at the finish line).
Participants run in protective gear; breathing gear is carried but not connected.
Law enforcement category For active members of the police force. Individual run.
Start in sportswear. Participants from the Baden-Württemberg police force wear the BW police running shirt.
Running in full body armor is possible; no separate category.

#tkEtowerrun – Instagram posts

The next TK Elevator TOWERRUN (formerly thyssenkrupp TOWERRUN) - the largest staircase run in Germany and the final of the German Towerrunning Cup - will take place on Sunday, 15 September 2024 in Rottweil. We are very much looking forward to welcoming all registered participants, professionals and amateur athletes, colleagues and visitors from all over the world.Who will be travelling the furthest this year? Post your photos publicly on Instagram with #tketowerrun to be published here.

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