Print Media Academy, Heidelberg

The Print Media Academy (PMA) emerged as a high-profile endeavor during the tenure of then-Heidelberg CEO Hartmut Mehdorn, serving as a commemorative landmark for Heidelberg's 150th anniversary. Its grand unveiling took place in April 2000, officiated by Germany's federal chancellor Gerhard Schröder. In a recent development in 2021, the town relinquished ownership of the building to a Luxembourg investment firm for a sum in the "low double-digit million euro" range.

Standing tall at 50 meters with 12 floors, the PMA has a number of striking architectural features and is one of Heidelberg's tallest structures. Situated opposite the main train station, it offers a diverse array of spaces, including an auditorium available for event and conference rentals, alongside a luxurious restaurant nestled on its uppermost level.

Characterized by its transparent facade, the building's design is replete with metaphors and symbols alluding to printing processes and the history of printing. Two expansive cylindrical towers are visible through the glass walls from the outside, while the 13-meter-tall 'S-Printing Horse' sculpture on the forecourt weighs a staggering 90 tonnes.