Imagine stepping back in time to 1885. It is the year the Sierich’sches Forsthaus was built.
Welcome to the Sierich’sches Forsthaus. This building is the oldest structure in Hamburg’s Stadtpark. It stands as a reminder of the area’s early history.
Adolph Sierich was a goldsmith. He owned the land before it became the Stadtpark. Sierich bought large tracts of land in Winterhude. He then created a private forest area. He called it Sierich’sches Gehölz. Sierich stocked it with wild animals. He also had the area reforested.
To manage this area, Sierich hired a forester. He commissioned the Sierich’sches Forsthaus in 1885. It provided a home for the forester. The forester kept watch over the wildlife, the forest, and visitors. For a fee, citizens could explore Sierich’s private wild park. They could even enjoy the view from a wooden tower.
By the late 19th century, Hamburg expanded. Sierich’s heirs sold the Gehölz to the city in 1901. The city integrated it into the design for the Hamburger Stadtpark. The Sierich’sches Forsthaus no longer served its original purpose. It became a municipal apartment building.
The city of Hamburg bought Sierich’s land in 1902. The location was favorable due to its decentralized location. The Stadtpark was completed in 1914. Fritz Schumacher, the director of building construction, designed it.
The Sierich’sches Forsthaus is a simple building. It features partial two-story plasterwork. The building is symmetrical. It provided space for two separate apartments. The building served as a residence for many years. In 1995, the city’s garden management department took it over.
Unfortunately, the last residents left it in poor condition. The Sierich’sches Forsthaus stood empty for years. There was even a threat of demolition. However, in 2000, the historic preservation office protected the building. A group of citizens founded the Stadtpark Verein Hamburg e.V. The goal was to restore the Sierich’sches Forsthaus. They also wanted to bring it back into use.
With financial support, the building was renovated for over 10 years. The THW helped gut the entire Sierich’sches Forsthaus. They renewed the dilapidated floor. Fortunately, many original parts were saved. The original wooden roof construction was among them. The dividing wall was removed creating a bright space. Inside, stones from the former Stadtparksee cascade are on display.
In 2009, the Sierich’sches Forsthaus was partially opened. In August 2011, it was inaugurated as the association’s headquarters. Today, the building hosts meetings. It is also rented for seminars. The Stadtpark Verein maintains the surrounding garden. There, they have planted fruit trees and smaller gardens. They work with schools. They offer tours that teach children about urban nature.
The city of Hamburg still owns the Sierich’sches Forsthaus. The Stadtpark Verein only leases it.
To keep this historic building in good condition, more renovations are needed. These include roof repairs, a fresh coat of paint, and moisture protection. You can explore the Sierich’sches Forsthaus during the association’s events. Also, you can visit on the second weekend of September for the “Day of Open Monuments”.
The Sierich’sches Forsthaus stands as a reminder of the Stadtpark’s history. It is now a center for community and conservation efforts. It welcomes all.