This imposing structure before you is the Bauverwaltung Hannover. It wasn’t always here. Imagine the devastation after World War II. The old Bauverwaltung building east of the Neues Rathaus lay in ruins. Maps were destroyed. The Bauverwaltung staff worked temporarily in the Haus der Landschaftlichen Brandkasse. Then in 1953 they moved to the Wangenheimpalais.
The Bauverwaltung Hannover is more than just an office. It’s the city’s heart for building and development. Think about streets bridges and traffic. This department handles building regulations including the preservation of historical landmarks. It also oversees urban renewal and housing. It’s a huge undertaking managing a city as vibrant as Hanover.
Under Stadtbaurat Rudolf Hillebrecht’s leadership a new Bauverwaltung building was planned. This wasn’t easy. There was opposition. But Hillebrecht persevered. The result is this remarkable building. Completed between 1954 and 1955 it’s designed by Werner Dierschke Fritz Eggeling and Alfred Müller-Hoeppe. It’s a striking three-section structure. The design incorporates open spaces creating a smooth transition to the Maschpark and the Kestner Museum. The foundations are unique using Franki piles.
Notice the baroque portal at the entrance. It’s a rescued piece. It originally belonged to the Garde du Corps barracks at Königsworther Platz. It survived the war but was moved here. Because of the personal union between Great Britain and Hanover it still displays the British coat of arms in its pre-1837 form. It is a small but interesting detail of history.
The Bauverwaltung has a rich history stretching back to 1822 when the städtische Baukommission was established. All building plans had to go through this commission. This marks the beginning of Hannover’s organized building process. The Bauverwaltung even publishes its extensive collection of geographic data freely online. You can find historical and modern maps. It is a free and almost unlimited resource for the public. The department also produces orthophotos of the city every two years.
In 2000 the square in front was named Rudolf-Hillebrecht-Platz. This honors the city planning of the Stadtbaurat under whose leadership this remarkable building arose. Sadly the building shows considerable damage. The stone cladding and its anchoring are severely damaged. The building is currently scaffolded and it’s expected to remain so until 2025. This is a reminder of the challenges even grand buildings face over time. But the Bauverwaltung Hannover continues its vital role shaping Hanover’s future.