What if these walls could talk? The IG Farben Building stands here a silent giant, its history etched into every stone. Today we will delve into the story of this imposing structure.
The IG Farben Building also known as the Poelzig Building began its life in the late 1920s. It was built as the headquarters for IG Farben. At that time IG Farben was the world’s largest chemical company. Its sheer size made it the largest office building in Europe upon completion in 1930.
Hans Poelzig won the design competition. His New Objectivity style gave the IG Farben Building a modern, yet imposing presence. The building has six square wings connected by a curved corridor. This design ensured ample natural light for all offices. Paternoster elevators still carry people up and down its floors.
IG Farben became deeply entwined with the Nazi regime. The company produced Zyklon B. This was the gas used in the Holocaust death camps. After World War II, the building took on a new role.
The IG Farben Building became the headquarters for the Supreme Allied Command. Dwight D. Eisenhower had his office here. From this building, the Americans ruled the western part of Germany. The Marshall Plan was implemented here. This plan helped rebuild Europe after the war. The IG Farben Building was even known as the Pentagon of Europe.
In 1975, the US Army renamed it the General Creighton W. Abrams Building. However, the name IG Farben Building stuck in the public consciousness. The US Army transferred the building to the German government in 1995. The state of Hesse then purchased it for the University of Frankfurt.
The University of Frankfurt renamed it the Poelzig Building. This was in honor of its architect. A restoration followed. In 2001, it opened as part of the university’s Westend Campus.
Even after its repurposing, the IG Farben Building’s past was hard to ignore. Its association with the Nazi era lingered. Only with the departure of the Americans, renovations, and university use did these associations fade. Today, a permanent exhibition and memorial plaque commemorate the victims of IG Farben’s crimes.
The IG Farben Building stands as a symbol. It represents German industrial power and scientific prowess. The building’s facade is clad in travertine marble. Bands of windows punctuate the facade.
Inside, the main entrance features a temple-like portico. Bronze doors and copper friezes adorn the entrance. The lobby boasts curved staircases and marble walls. At the rear, a round rotunda now called the Dwight D. Eisenhower room houses a café.
Outside, a reflecting pool features the sculpture Am Wasser. This sculpture depicts a naked water nymph. Legend has it that Mamie Eisenhower deemed it inappropriate for a military installation. The statue was moved but has since returned.
The IG Farben Building has witnessed history. It has been a corporate headquarters, a military command center, and now a university building. Its walls hold stories of innovation, war, and reconciliation. As we stand here, remember the weight of the past. Consider the ongoing pursuit of knowledge and understanding that now fills these halls.