Temporarily Relocated: in contrast to its actual meaning, the term „interim“ is becoming a permanent state in Frankfurt’s cultural scene. The renowned Schirn Kunsthalle, widely known beyond Frankfurt’s borders, is currently vacating its home in the old town. Temporarily, of course. The museum, which opened in 1986, will undergo a comprehensive renovation until at least 2027. Until then the Schirn will be located in the former Dondorf printing works building in the Bockenheim district – a space currently being renovated for interim museum use. Interestingly, it's only available because squatters prevented its demolition last year.

From 2026 onwards, the Schauspielhaus might move from the centrally located Willy-Brandt-Platz to an old warehouse in the less central Gutleut district. At least until the planned new theatre building near the current location is completed. That, in turn, could also serve as a temporary home for the opera. Its venue is likewise slated for reconstruction – and together with the new theatre, is meant to form the heart of a „cultural mile“ long desired by many in Frankfurt.

Amid all these ongoing and planned relocations, it’s almost overlooked that another museum of national renown has simply surrendered to the pressing need for renovation: The Museum für Moderne Kunst (MMK) has completely closed its main building while its fire protection systems are being brought up to standard.

It’s not the constant demand for interim locations that’s unsettling Frankfurt’s cultural life, but rather the underlying cause: many of the city’s popular venues and museums are in such disrepair that only full renovation – or in some cases demolition and reconstruction – can save them.

For decades, cultural institutions have had to get by on existing infrastructure. Tight budgets, neglect, and complex administrative processes have led to a backlog of maintenance so severe that repairs are no longer possible during normal operations. Fortunately, the finance capital – well-versed in structural change – has enough temporary spaces to offer.

One museum, at least, has finally left its renovation-imposed exile behind: The Deutsches Architekturmuseum (DAM) has reopened its completely refurbished home on the Museumsufer. After nearly four years in an interim location, the curators are returning to their original site – almost two years later than planned. Anyone expecting a completely new museum experience will be surprised to find that at the new DAM, almost everything looks just the same. Most of the renovation work took place beneath the surface. In the very structure itself.