The de novo synthesis of an aromatic system via [2+2+2] alkyne cyclotrimerization provided access to a fluorenyl spiro-annelated phthalic anhydride derivative. Its exceptional rigidity - originating from the orthogonally attached fluorenyl moiety - was confirmed by single-crystal X-ray analysis. The anhydride was used successfully as a precursor for the synthesis of a novel class of orthogonal spiro-annelated Zn-phthalocyanine, which has the potential to be used as a core for molecular architecture.