Living in a high-rise building with 1,600 neighbors might sound impersonal and cramped, but an architect named Thomas is proving that assumption wrong. In the latest episode of the ARD Room Tour series, he opens the doors to his stunning loft apartment on the 20th floor of the Asemwald housing complex, one of Germany's largest connected residential developments.
Built in 1972, the Asemwald complex consists of three striking high-rise buildings located on the southeastern edge of Stuttgart. The development houses over 1,100 apartments and approximately 1,600 residents, making it likely the largest homeowner association in Germany. What initially appears to be a relic from the 1970s reveals itself upon closer inspection to be a modern retreat with spectacular views – both literally and figuratively.
Thomas has lived for years in one of the upper floors and has designed his approximately 860-square-foot apartment according to his own vision: open, minimalist, and structured. The interior features plenty of white surfaces, abundant natural light, and clean lines throughout. The living and dining area serves as the heart of the space, where a large dining table sits on a custom-built platform designed to guarantee an unobstructed view outside at all times. "You live with the weather, you live with the light," the architect explains.
What makes life at 200 feet above ground particularly special becomes apparent when looking out the windows. The apartment offers 75 miles of visibility, extending all the way to the Swabian Alps on clear days. At night, the illuminated airport sparkles in the distance. Thomas calls it his personal Los Angeles because the light display genuinely resembles the California metropolis. From the guest room, the view falls directly onto Stuttgart's famous television tower, appearing like a constantly changing painting on the wall with its shifting light patterns.
The high-rise complex offers much more than just living space – it functions as a small city unto itself. Residents have access to a swimming pool on the top floor, a rooftop restaurant, tennis courts, and remarkably, their own forest. Yes, the Asemwald literally belongs to its residents: 40 acres of recreational area that homeowners are jointly responsible for maintaining and caring for.
For those interested in experiencing this lifestyle firsthand, Thomas offers regular architecture tours of the complex every first Saturday of the month at 4 PM. For anyone who has previously dismissed high-rise living, it's worth reconsidering their perspective. Those who live up here don't experience cramped conditions – they truly live with a broad outlook, in every sense of the word.
