A metallic giant slumbers here. This is the Ehemaliges Press- und Hammerwerk Ost. It once roared with the power of the Krupp Gussstahlfabrik. Now, it silently watches over the city as a repurposed parking garage.
The Ehemaliges Press- und Hammerwerk Ost stands as a monument. It represents Essen’s industrial might. The factory building was built from 1915 to 1917. It formed the main entrance to the Kruppstadt. This was along with the VIII Mechanical Workshop. Today that is the Colosseum Theater. Also included was the Werksbahnbrücke from 1872. The design set it apart from other factory buildings.
The Gussstahlfabrik was heavily damaged in World War II. Yet, the Ehemaliges Press- und Hammerwerk Ost survived. The brick building of the former Geschossdreherei also survived. It sits west of the VIII Mechanical Workshop. Built in 1873, it’s the only building from Alfred Krupp’s time. Today, it houses the Centre for Turkish Studies.
In 1929, the Ehemaliges Press- und Hammerwerk Ost became home to the world’s largest forging press. It had a pressing force of 15,000 tons. This allowed the forging of high-pressure boilers. These boilers came from raw blocks weighing up to 300 tons. After the war, the steam-hydraulic press was dismantled. It was shipped to Yugoslavia but never rebuilt.
The Werkhalle gained monument protection on September 13, 1990. It was then converted into a parking garage. The original brick facade and steel structure were preserved. Since 1992, the adjacent Swedish furniture store has used the parking garage.
Imagine the sheer scale of operations here. Picture the glowing steel under the immense pressure of the forge. Try to envision the workers. They toiled relentlessly to shape the future. The Ehemaliges Press- und Hammerwerk Ost echoes with their efforts.
The Ehemaliges Press- und Hammerwerk Ost is more than just a parking garage. It is a reminder of Essen’s past. It is a testament to its transformation. The Ehemaliges Press- und Hammerwerk Ost stands as a symbol. It represents both industrial strength and architectural preservation.