Picture this. You stand before the Jacobsenviertel a remarkable residential area in Erfurt. Built between 1925 and 1927 it’s a testament to the New Objectivity architectural style. This wasn’t just any housing project. It was a bold experiment in urban planning. Imagine the vision of Otto Jacobsen the architect. He broke with traditional Erfurt building practices. Instead of the usual blocks lining the street he built apartment blocks at right angles. This created open green spaces. The result? A lighter airier feel than the dense city blocks surrounding it.
The Jacobsenviertel comprises around 300 apartments. They are spread across several buildings. A long northern block stretches 120 meters. Four shorter 40-meter blocks sit perpendicular in the middle. Finally a large southern block with an interior courtyard measures 120 meters by 50 meters.
This innovative layout wasn’t just aesthetically pleasing. It provided benefits unheard of at the time. Improved air circulation reduced the spread of disease. Increased sunlight and open spaces improved the quality of life for residents. This design later became common in East Germany.
The Jacobsenviertel wasn’t only innovative architecturally. It also holds social significance. Built by the Wohngemeinschaft Erfurt it represented an ambitious communal housing project. Funded by Hermann Bosenberg a Hamburg entrepreneur his contribution is commemorated by the Bosenberg Fountain built in 1926.
The story of the Jacobsenviertel isn’t without its challenges. After decades of use it fell into disrepair. In 2005 the Kommunale Wohnungsbaugenossenschaft which owned the area considered demolition. However a Merseburg-based investor Klaron Holding stepped in. They purchased the property. By 2007 they had completed a stunning renovation. Today the Jacobsenviertel stands as a beautifully restored example of innovative and socially conscious architecture. A true gem of Erfurt’s history.