Bayer Hochhaus

Completed in 1963, being 122 meters tall, the Bayer Hochhaus, literally translated Bayer High Rise Building, is the highest building in Leverkusen, even higher than the water tower. It served as corporate headquarter till 2002, when employees moved into a new building right next to it. At first, it was supposed to be torn down, but that was delayed again and again.

In the end, it was not demolished. Instead, the inner structures were removed, while the outside was covered with LEDs, to make this the worlds largest dynamic advertizing surface. As you can see, it's not working very well, with the LEDs suffering from quality issues, and the replacements from shipping delays.

Interesting facts: In 1999, the building was packed up like an Aspirin box, due to the company's jubilee. I was there, but took no photos, so I can just show you this.

Also, Bayer wanted to tear down the famous Bayerkreuz, the largest lit advert in the world, as soon as this building would have been converted. Luckily, protests from the inhabitants of Leverkusen were heard, and the Kreuz remains.