Built in 1953 and 1954 the Schulze-Delitzsch-Haus stands proudly before you. This impressive building in Bonn’s Gronau district has a rich history. It served as the headquarters for the Federal Association of German Volksbanks and Raiffeisenbanks until 2001. Even today the association continues to use this building.
The Schulze-Delitzsch-Haus wasn’t just any office building. It was a collaborative effort. The German Cooperative Association and the Central Association of Cooperative Wholesale and Foreign Trade joined forces. They moved to Bonn in 1952. Architect Wilhelm Denninger designed this landmark building. The construction began in 1953. Federal President Theodor Heuss himself was present at the key handover on March 23 1954.
This wasn’t the first building to bear this name. This was the fourth Schulze-Delitzsch-Haus in the history of the German Cooperative Association. The name honors Hermann Schulze-Delitzsch a founder of the German cooperative movement. The building quickly became a hub. In 1954 the Auditing Company for Commercial Cooperatives relocated from Stuttgart to Bonn. For the first time major organizations and agencies of the German cooperative sector shared one address.
The Schulze-Delitzsch-Haus even played a role in European integration. On March 1 1954 it housed the first press office of the European Coal and Steel Community. This office occupied only 50 square meters. Its mission was to inform the public about the Community. It also provided feedback to the High Authority on public opinion. The office later became part of the European Commission representation. In 2014 the Schulze-Delitzsch-Haus was recognized. It became a historical site on the Path of Democracy. A commemorative plaque marks its significance.
Even after the German government moved to Berlin in 1999 the Schulze-Delitzsch-Haus remained relevant. The Federal Association of German Volksbanks and Raiffeisenbanks moved its headquarters. They still utilize the Schulze-Delitzsch-Haus. The building currently houses the Employers’ Association of German Volksbanks and Raiffeisenbanks. The Schulze-Delitzsch-Haus eG owns the building. This long rectangular three-story building is a testament to its enduring history. Its architectural design with a set-back top floor and two attached two-story wings is quite striking. The main entrance on the left side is accented with a canopy and a setback in the facade. This impressive building stands as a symbol of cooperative spirit. It is a remarkable piece of Bonn’s history.