Was D\u00fcsseldorf ready for a skyscraper in the early 1920s? The Wilhelm-Marx-Haus dared to ask this question. It then answered with a resounding yes. We are standing before the Wilhelm-Marx-Haus. It is an important historical landmark. It is right in the heart of D\u00fcsseldorf.
The Wilhelm-Marx-Haus stands as one of Germany’s first high-rise buildings. Construction began in 1922. It finished in 1924. Back then, people considered it one of Europe’s first skyscrapers. The Wilhelm-Marx-Haus reaches a height of 57 meters. It has 13 floors above ground. Wilhelm Kreis was the architect behind this pioneering structure.
The building carries the name of Wilhelm Marx. He was a former mayor of D\u00fcsseldorf. He initiated a modernization program for the city. This Wilhelm Marx is not to be confused with the German Chancellor of the same name.
Imagine D\u00fcsseldorf in the early 20th century. The city was eager to show progress. It wanted to attract businesses. Skyscrapers symbolized this ambition. In 1921, the B\u00fcrohausgesellschaft was founded. Carl Christian Schmid led it. Its goal was to develop office buildings. These buildings would be at important locations in the city. The Wilhelm-Marx-Haus became its flagship project.
A competition was held to design an office building. It would be on Alleeplatz. The task was to create an architectural highlight. It should mark the intersection of Altstadt, Carlstadt, and the banking district. Alleeplatz was known as a busy spot in D\u00fcsseldorf. The new building needed to reflect this prominence.
Wilhelm Kreis won the competition. His design featured two intersecting rectangles. The jury appreciated how it considered the city’s layout. Other designs included Fritz Becker’s “The Red Tower”. It had a 21-story tower. Arno Breker and Heinrich B\u00e4hr proposed “The House of Golden Spheres”.
Construction of the Wilhelm-Marx-Haus began in May 1922. It opened in the summer of 1924. The building consists of a twelve-story tower. It also has two six-story wings. These wings intersect. They form the base of the tower. The steel-concrete structure is clad in Muschelkalk up to the second floor. Red bricks cover the upper floors. The windows are framed with dolomite.
The building had modern amenities. It had warm water heating. It also featured an advanced ventilation system. A paternoster elevator and two freight elevators were installed. The Wilhelm-Marx-Haus required a lot of material. 7,200 cubic meters of gravel were used. Also, 430,000 kg of iron and steel were used. 34,200 cement bags and 350,000 bricks were needed.
During World War II, the building suffered damage in 1943. The upper floors were heavily affected. After the war, it was restored. Today, only the entrance hall remains of the original design. It features a tiger sculpture by Carl Moritz Schreiner.
From 1982 to 1984, a side wing was extended. This extension matched the original style. It created a courtyard behind the building. A parking garage was built under the building. This was done together with the neighboring Carsch-Haus. The Carsch-Haus was moved to make room for the Heinrich-Heine-Allee subway station. The Wilhelm-Marx-Haus required stabilization. Over 500 concrete pillars were used. The ground underneath included an old fortress wall.
In 1988, the city sold the Wilhelm-Marx-Haus. The buyer was the French group “Pierre Premier”. In 2001, a German company bought the building. It was D\u00fcsseldorfer WestInvest.
The Wilhelm-Marx-Haus offers retail space on the ground floor. The upper floors provide office space. It also houses the “JuTA” theater.
Originally, the D\u00fcsseldorf Stock Exchange was located here. The stock exchange had two halls. These halls were centers of economic activity. Jan Thorn Prikker designed the larger hall. The stock exchange moved out in 1957.
For over 50 years, a “Persil” sign was on top of the building. In 2009, the old sign was replaced. The new sign features animated Persil logos.
The Wilhelm-Marx-Haus stands as a testament to D\u00fcsseldorf’s ambition. It combines architectural innovation with historical significance. Its red brick facade and unique design elements captivate visitors. This building has truly earned its place in the city’s skyline.