Since the 1980s, Frankfurt am Main – like many other European cities – has been returning to the qualities of the city's river banks. The philosophy is "living and working on the river" - the aim is to restructure formerly commercially used areas into mixed urban quarters. This is also the case on the site of the former slaughterhouse: According to an award-winning urban planning design, the new Deutschherrnviertel was built in just over 10 years, with Walther-von-Cronberg-Platz at its centre. It is bordered by the buildings Solitär 1 (the first in a row of 12 solitaires on the river bank), Florentinisches Viertel (with its arcade), Colosseo and Main Plaza Ensemble (consisting of the Main Plaza tower, pavilion and arcades). It is the only unfurnished city square in Frankfurt. It offers free views and routes within the district, to Frankfurt city centre and to the Main. The fountain, which was put into operation in 2002, fits into this unity. It has no rigid boundaries and accentuates the square solely through its water features. It takes its shape from the water fountains: they come from 94 nozzles that are set into the paved ground in a 20-meter ring - they bubble quietly, form a dance or shoot up to eight meters into the air. By dispensing with fixed and permanent elements, the fountain can also be used as a stage in the neighborhood. The fountain becomes a place for Christmas decorations when the water is turned off in late autumn. Then a Christmas tree stands in its center, which adds a wintery accent to Walther-von-Cronberg-Platz.