Two hundred and forty-five thousand Marks. A hefty sum in 1917. That’s how much the prestigious Villa Kohorn cost. This magnificent building stands before you. It’s a testament to a bygone era. An era of industrial success and cultural influence.
Villa Kohorn is more than just a house. It’s a living chapter of Chemnitz’s history. Originally built in 1907 for Friedrich August Hempel. Hempel was a co-owner of Gebrüder Lohse. This was a significant dyeing and mercerizing plant. Hempel purchased the land near the Stadtpark. He was clearly a man of means and vision. Many wealthy Chemnitz factory owners built their villas nearby. The most famous example is Villa Esche.
But the story of Villa Kohorn truly begins with Oscar von Kohorn. In April 1917 he bought the villa. He was a prominent Jewish industrialist. The purchase included the outbuildings. These included a stable a coach house and a separate apartment. The adjacent park also formed part of the estate. The sale was finalized by the respected notary Julius Böhmer.
Oscar von Kohorn wasn’t just a successful businessman. He was also a patron of the arts. He significantly contributed to the renovation of the Chemnitz City Theatre. He was even close friends with the composers Richard Strauss and Franz Lehár. Legend says Strauss and his wife had their own bedroom in the villa. Strauss even composed a “Hymn to the House Kohorn” in 1925. This shows their mutual respect and friendship.
Kohorn expanded the villa in the Art Deco style. He lived there with his wife Valerie from Vienna. Their sons Heinz-Horst and Rolf Stephan also lived at the Villa Kohorn. Despite the challenges of the global economic crisis. Kohorn’s business survived although it did declare bankruptcy in 1931. However the bankruptcy was resolved shortly after. This didn’t stop the forced auction of the Villa Kohorn in 1933. The Saxon State Bank became the new owner. Five apartments were created under the direction of the architect Erich Basarke.
The Kohorn family left Germany in 1935. They fled because of rising anti-Semitism. Oscar himself never returned from a business trip to Japan. The family eventually settled in New York City. Oscar remained active in business until his death in 1963. The Villa Kohorn changed hands several times after that. The building was used as an outpatient medical and therapeutic facility. Subsequent renovations largely reversed changes made during this period.
Today this beautiful building is largely restored to its former glory. It contains office spaces and one apartment. As you stand here. Remember the stories of success. The friendships forged and the tragedy that unfolded within these walls. The Villa Kohorn is more than a building. It’s a living memory. A memory of a remarkable family and a significant piece of Chemnitz’s history.