- efficient, functional and safe headquarters, while allowing for the necessary flexibility to foster interaction and communication – not only among staff, but also with our colleagues of the eurosystem, the european systemic risk board and other institutions. in addition, the new premises will reflect the values – integrity, excellence, efficiency and transparency – that are essential to our activities. ich bin sehr froh daruber, dass ich heute hier stehen und sagen kann, dass bisher kein schwerer unfall auf der baustelle geschehen ist – und dass, obwohl hunderte von menschen gleichzeitig auf der baustelle arbeiten. ich wunsche mir und hoffe sehr, dass dies auch fur die restliche bauzeit so bleiben wird. ihnen allen hier auf der baustelle viel gluck und alles gute. bleiben sie gesund und passen sie gut auf sich auf. i am grateful that i can stand here today and say that there have been no major accidents on the construction site – even though hundreds of people are working here at the same time. i very much wish that this will continue to be the case for the remainder of the construction process and extend my best wishes to all of you working here on the site. stay healthy and safe. ich hoffe, dass die menschen hier in frankfurt und andernorts unseren neubau als bereicherung der frankfurter skyline und der europaischen landschaft ansehen. wir in der ezb freuen uns, sie und alle besucher aus frankfurt, europa und der ubrigen welt 2014 in unserem neuen gebaude willkommen heißen zu durfen. i hope that our new premises will be viewed by the people of frankfurt, and beyond, as an enrichment of frankfurt ’ s skyline and the landscape of europe. we at the ecb look forward to welcoming all of you and all our visitors from frankfurt, europe and the world to our new home in 2014. bis central bankers ’ speeches

and we are already one step closer to moving to the ostend, the ecb ’ s new neighbourhood. special thanks go to the construction companies, especially to all members of zublin and spannverbund and their subcontractors. their continuous work and strong commitment to delivering the required quality on time has made it possible for us to have this celebration here today and to be able to gaze up at this impressive structure. it is a great achievement that we can already use all three of the main elements of the building complex : • entering here via the entrance building, the future main entrance of the ecb, and • celebrating the topping out in the grossmarkthalle, actually in the future cafeteria, • while enjoying the view of the double office tower. bis central bankers ’ speeches the vision of the architect mr wolf prix and his team was to create a new and unique landmark, combining “ old and new ” and his vision has now come to fruition for the ecb, a truly european institution. let us look back on some of the milestones that have been accomplished so far. the double office tower has almost reached its final height of 185 metres. the last office floor was laid a few weeks ago, while the various platforms and steel structures within the atrium are currently being completed. the restoration of the grossmarkthalle is another remarkable element of the ongoing construction works. the former splendour of the facades and the concrete roof shell structure is slowly being restored, evoking again the vision of its architect, martin elsaesser. i would like to thank the company torkret, which built the original market hall in the 1920s, for their excellent work and for being able to find suitable solutions – together with the architects and planners – for any surprise the old building fabric threw up. the next steps will also be important. since the beginning of this year a myriad of technical equipment has been on site and hundreds of workers are busy installing the necessary technical infrastructure to ensure everything runs smoothly from an operational perspective once we move to our new premises. fit - out works and the installation of walls and floors are also continuing in parallel, all taking place behind the newly completed facades of the high - rise and the restored grossmarkthalle. most visibly, the antenna and the technical areas will be installed at the top of the double office tower by the end of this year. we are monitoring the construction progress, costs and price developments very closely, adjusting and adapting