“A trading voyage inland.” That’s what “Kauffahrtei” means. The Neue Kauffahrtei at Kauffahrtei 25 is a reminder of Chemnitz’s past. Today, we will uncover its story.
This building complex dates back to the early 1920s. It stands in Altchemnitz. It is a protected landmark. The Zentralkonsum owns it now.
Back in 1917, the Konsumgroßhandel GEG bought this land. It was undeveloped. The location was strategic. It was south of Chemnitz, near the Stadtpark and the railway. As the area developed into an industrial zone, Kauffahrtei street was built.
Heinrich Lorenz led the Chemnitz cooperative movement. He recognized the need for expansion. By 1920, GEG’s sales exceeded one billion.
Erich Basarke designed the complex. Construction took place from 1921 to 1923. In 1922, it was named “Kauffahrtei.” This name evoked Hamburg, the GEG headquarters, and maritime trade. From 1928 to 1930, the complex expanded into a four-winged structure.
Imagine the bustling activity within these walls. The Kauffahrtei housed a colonial goods warehouse. There was a mustard factory and an oil bottling plant. A facility processed lentils. Coffee roasting, cocoa, and tea packing also took place here. Warehouses held textiles, shoes, and household goods.
During World War II, the Deutsche Arbeitsfront managed the GEG facilities. After the war, in 1954, the Kauffahrtei became an independent trading establishment. It was assigned to the Verband deutscher Konsumgenossenschaften. This organization is now Zentralkonsum eG.
From 1960 to 1976, the Kauffahrtei was a Versandhandels-Zentrale. This was the mail order center for consumer cooperatives. Later it was known as Konsument Versandhaus.
After 1990, many businesses closed. A new concept was needed for the property. Starting in 1998, the core of today’s business park underwent extensive renovation. The four-winged main building was gutted and rebuilt. Twenty million euros were invested.
Today, the Neue Kauffahrtei is a business park. It houses twenty companies. These are primarily medium-sized businesses. Service companies for training and research are also located here. The Sächsisches Landessozialgericht or Saxon State Social Court also resides here. The complex covers 30,000 square meters. It includes 800 parking spaces.
The Neue Kauffahrtei blends history with modern enterprise. The building reminds us of Chemnitz’s industrial heritage. It demonstrates the city’s ability to adapt and innovate.