Dare to imagine Augsburg in the 18th century. Right here before us stands the Gignoux-Haus. It is more than just a building. It is a testament to Augsburg’s rich history. The Gignoux-Haus is located at Vorderer Lech 8.
This magnificent Rokoko palace whispers tales of industry and art. It shows the vision of a family. It embodies Augsburg’s ambition.
The Gignoux-Haus was erected between 1764 and 1765. Georg Christoph Gleich commissioned it. He wanted a home and a factory for Kattun production. Leonhard Christian Mayr designed it. He later designed Johann Heinrich Schüle’s Kattun factory.
Gleich married Anna Barbara Gignoux. He acquired the Gignoux Kattun factory. But he drove it into bankruptcy by 1770. Anna Barbara continued the business.
The Gignoux-Haus sits at a widening of the Vorderer Lech lane. Anna Barbara Gignoux also owned the building opposite from 1782. Leonhard Christian Mayr possibly rebuilt it.
The three-story Gignoux-Haus has an irregular layout. It merges several older buildings. It features a mansard roof. Franz Xaver Feichtmeier possibly designed the ornate Rokoko facade. It is an architectural gem in Augsburg’s old artisan district. The Gignoux-Haus is a key example of Augsburg’s Kattun manufacturing era. Only the Schüle Kattun factory rivals it. Its architecture is second only to the Schaezlerpalais.
The Gignoux-Haus stands partly over a canal. This showcases the use of water power. Augsburg promotes this aspect as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Anna Barbara Gignoux died in 1796. Soon after, the old factory was repurposed. In 1822, the “Blaues Krügle” restaurant moved in. Later, a dance and performance hall was added. On October 10, 1945, Augsburg’s acting company performed here for the first time.
Later, in 2000, Hasenbräu AG considered selling the Gignoux-Haus. Eberhard Schaub offered to renovate it in 2002. But this plan required a long-term lease. The theater group wanted a shorter interim solution.
In 2005, Eberhard Schaub wanted to sell the Gignoux-Haus. The city declined to buy it due to financial constraints. Investor Kazim Capartas bought it in 2005. He leased the theater hall to the city. But he did not renovate the building. By July 2010, the theater company moved out. The building was in poor condition. The city gave incentives to encourage renovation.
After Kazim Capartas died in 2012, his daughter inherited the building. Maintenance was neglected. The apartments and a restaurant remained in use. In 2015, the Gignoux-Haus was sold. The new owner terminated the apartment leases.
In 2017, FE Immo Projekt GmbH acquired the Gignoux-Haus. Work began on the theater hall. Color samples appeared on the street facade. The investor might not restore the original Baroque colors.
Hubert Schulz favored the investor’s interests. The building committee approved changes. These changes went against the preservation office’s advice.
Today, the Gignoux-Haus awaits its next chapter. It stands as a symbol of Augsburg’s resilience. It also represents its architectural heritage. It is a place where history, art, and industry converge. The Gignoux-Haus continues to inspire. It reminds us of the past and the possibilities of the future.
The Gignoux-Haus invites you to reflect on Augsburg’s past. Notice its detailed facade. Think about the people who lived and worked here. Consider its role in Augsburg’s story.