Considered the world’s first trade fair building, the Städtisches Kaufhaus stands before us. It whispers tales of Leipzig’s rich mercantile past. This is more than just a building. It is a testament to Leipzig’s pioneering spirit.
The Städtisches Kaufhaus, designed by Rayher, Korber, and Müller, emerged between 1894 and 1901. Its construction unfolded in three distinct phases. Each phase added to the grandeur we see today.
Before this impressive structure, the site echoed with earlier histories. From 1477 to 1498, a late-Gothic Gewandhaus stood here. It mirrored Krakow’s Cloth Hall in significance. Leipzig’s trade grew immensely thanks to the imperial trade fair privilege of 1497. The Gewandhaus became a hub for merchants.
Interestingly, the Gewandhaus Orchestra traces its roots to the cloth merchants’ guild. The orchestra once resided within the Gewandhaus. Mozart himself performed in the Gewandhaus hall on May 12, 1789. Think of the echoes of classical music that once resonated here.
In a twist of fate, part of the Gewandhaus gave way to the Stadtbibliothek. Friedrich Seltendorff designed this baroque library from 1740 to 1744. Amazingly, fragments of this library still exist within the Städtisches Kaufhaus.
The seed for the Städtisches Kaufhaus sprouted in 1893. One floor of the Stadtbibliothek was repurposed for trade fair use. This change mirrored a shift from simple trade fairs to sample fairs. Products were presented as samples for later orders.
The Michaelis Fair in 1894 proved the concept’s success. Consequently, plans were drawn to build the Städtisches Kaufhaus. It would be the world’s first sample trade fair building.
Construction began with the Stadtbibliothek’s complete renovation in 1894. Next, the Gewandhaus concert hall was torn down. In its place rose a neo-baroque edifice. Finally, sections along Kupfergasse were erected. The Städtisches Kaufhaus’s neo-baroque facade echoes the Stadtbibliothek’s baroque style.
The building pioneered a forced circulation principle around a courtyard. This design influenced subsequent Leipzig trade fair buildings. Unlike other fair buildings the Städtisches Kaufhaus boasts a more ornate facade. Its ambiance evokes Mediterranean palaces.
Don’t miss the paternoster elevator in Staircase A. Dating back to 1901, it stands as Leipzig’s oldest preserved elevator.
Tragedy struck during the bombings of 1943. The Städtisches Kaufhaus suffered severe damage. Restoration occurred partially between 1948 and 1956. A complete renovation followed after German reunification.
In 1992/1993, Anno August Jagdfeld acquired the Städtisches Kaufhaus. From 1993 to 1996, a thorough restoration took place. The statue of Kaiser Maximilian I commemorates the imperial trade fair privilege granted in 1497.
Today, the name Städtisches Kaufhaus is misleading. It is no longer a department store. Instead, it houses retail shops, restaurants, and offices.
Once, the Städtisches Kaufhaus hosted the Straße der Stars. This exhibition displayed handprints of famous figures.
From 2005 to 2009, the Städtisches Kaufhaus temporarily housed Leipzig University’s lecture halls. From late 2009, the city library found temporary refuge here for two years.
The Städtisches Kaufhaus endures as a symbol of Leipzig’s innovative spirit. Its stones resonate with stories of trade, music, and transformation.