Perhaps the massive half finished construction site would have long been forgotten if it were less conspicuous. However, with its pagoda roof, opulent redwood entrance portal, and numerous Far Eastern patterns and symbols, the seven storey structure in the south of Frankfurt stands out dramatically from its surroundings. It confronts passersby with the realisation that it remains unfinished – and has been so for nearly 16 years.

The construction site of The Diaoyutai Mansion hotel has long earned the title of the "slowest construction site in Frankfurt“ in local media. Indeed, the hotel, developed by the Chinese Huarong Group, now surpasses even the 14-year construction time of Berlin's scandal-ridden BER airport.

A luxury hotel under Chinese-American ownership, with Chinese decor, designed for Chinese tourists and business travelers, was planned for Rennbahnstraße in Frankfurt. With 214 rooms, supplemented by a spa and a huge ballroom, it aimed to become the top destination for the numerous and affluent travelers from the Far East who visit the Main metropolis every year. This is evident in the presence of Chinese-speaking staff in the luxury boutiques along Frankfurt's most upscale shopping street, Goethestraße.

Whether this sophisticated clientele will eventually stay at The Diaoyutai Mansion remains uncertain. The neighbouring racecourse, from which the five-star hotel derives its memorable address, has long disappeared. It has been replaced by the sober and coolly designed DFB (Deutscher Fussball Bund) Campus – which now stands in remarkable contrast to the striking and ornate design of the unfinished hotel.

Drawing a connection between the stranded hotel project in Frankfurt and the crisis in the Chinese real estate sector would be far fetched. The record breaking standstill of this prestigious Far Eastern construction project is more likely due to a familiar mix of grand plans, ambitious financing models, cost increases, bankruptcies, and changing operators. Local media recently reported on the futile attempts of construction companies involved to even reach the developer.

So, is it high time for the city authorities to finally put an end to this problem project? It was recently revealed that although the city of Frankfurt holds a buyback option for the land and building, it will not exercise it because the mountain of debt it would inherit along with the construction site is far too high. And so, travelers arriving in Frankfurt from the southwest will continue to be greeted by an equally exuberant and lifeless architectural monument.