[2] The previously unnamed square received the name "Frankfurter Tor" on 8 November 1957 in the course of its reconstruction after World War II.

The original location of the gate, however, was approximately 850 metres (2,790 ft) west of today's Frankfurter Tor intersection, near Weberwiese station.

The prominent twin towers on the western side of the square, significant examples of the Stalinist architectural style, were built between 1953 and 1956 as part of the socialist Stalinallee ensemble according to plans designed by Hermann Henselmann.

[3] Their architecture evokes the idea of a city entrance (thus the designation "Tor", gate, gateway), because the height of their domed towers and their location form a prominent beginning for today's Karl-Marx-Allee, once the imposing western portion of Stalinallee.

The buildings, square and street intersection at Frankfurter Tor are a listed ensemble, protected for its historic relevance.