Remember that name! Vereinigte Margarine-Werke Nurnberg. This impressive building ensemble before us tells a tale of industry, adaptation, and a touch of cultural flair.
The Vereinigte Margarine-Werke Nurnberg was once known for its margarine brand “Resi”. It was also known for its “frische Resi” house library. The Bavarian State Office for Monument Preservation recognizes this complex. It is at Klingenhofstrasse 52, including 50 b, c, 56, 58, and 60 in Nuremberg.
The Vereinigte Margarine-Werke Nurnberg is a neo-Baroque complex. It features a factory building, a four-wing structure with a tower, an office building, and a machine house. Georg Richter built it in 1912. It is located in northeastern Nuremberg. The design includes baroque-style elements. Look at the volute gables. Notice the irregularly shaped windows in the gable fields. This building resembles a Baroque palace. Its distinctive tower makes it a landmark in the Herrnhütte district.
The Vereinigte Margarine-Werke Nurnberg formerly known as Heinrich Lang & Söhne and Salb & Wohl had Jewish owners. These were Lang and Wohl. Salb & Wohl was founded in 1871. Heinrich Lang & Söhne was founded in 1913. The two margarine manufacturers merged. This is how the name “Vereinigte Margarine-Werke Nurnberg” came to be.
During the Nazi era, in 1939, the Jewish partners were forced to relinquish their shares. They gave their one-third shares in Vereinigte Margarine-Werke. The non-Jewish partners were Nürnberger Nährmittelwerken and Theodor Wolf GmbH. Production ceased in 1972. In 1974, margarine manufacturer Homann and Loh from Hanover took over Vereinigte Margarinewerke.
The Resi factory buildings still stand. They are known in Nuremberg as the Rofa, formerly Resi-Park. Margarine is no longer produced here. Today, the younger generation of Nuremberg knows this industrial complex as a nightlife center. Discos and clubs occupy the space now. Several medium-sized businesses are in the rear office buildings. There is also the seminar center. The Grundig Akademie and the WiSo leadership academy are here too.
The “frische Resi” house library booklets were popular advertising supplements for Resi-Schmelz. They were aimed at young people. Well-known authors were chosen for the booklets. Each booklet contained a short introduction of the author. It also contained a story. At the end, there was a cooking or baking recipe. The back cover featured a color advertisement for Resi-Schmelz.
Trix Modelleisenbahn made a covered freight car. It had a white plastic body. It was labeled “Vereinigte Margarine-Werke Nurnberg”. This series of Trix museum cars reflects Nuremberg’s economic history. It features successful Nuremberg companies.
Interestingly, the Nuremberg vernacular includes the saying: “Der is beinander wi a Baggla Resi ohne Babier” (He is in a state like a packet of Resi without paper).
So, as you can see, the Ehemalige Vereinigte Margarine-Werke Nurnberg isn’t just a building. It’s a landmark and a reminder of Nuremberg’s past. It is a blend of industry, culture, and the ever-changing face of time.