#Department store #Leipzig #1936
Description
Certain elements of modernism can be seen on the house, like the curved facade and the flat roof. But the monumentality of the Nazi era is equally perceptible: The cladding with shell limestone (already very popular in Leipzig around 1900) and the rather small windows, compared to other C&A department stores from the years before.A interesting feature of this department store are the flagpoles, already used in Magdeburg.
Description
Certain elements of modernism can be seen on the house, like the curved facade and the flat roof. But the monumentality of the Nazi era is equally perceptible: The cladding with shell limestone (already very popular in Leipzig around 1900) and the rather small windows, compared to other C&A department stores from the years before.A interesting feature of this department store are the flagpoles, already used in Magdeburg.
History
As a result of the world economic crisis, the department store named Polich on the same site was foreclosed on to C&A. In the end, C&A demolished the old department store because they did not receive permission to continue operating it. The company descided to built this new Merkurhaus from 1936 to 1937 and received a opening permission only from the Minister of Economics, Hermann Göring. The name of the building refers to a statue of Mercury that was part of the previous building. The people of Leipzig did not accept the C&A department store in the first years, it is assumed that loyalty to the previous department store was very high.
After World War II the house was home to a university and a shop for fashion in the groundfloor. Between 1991 and 2001 C&A returned to the building. After several changes the house became renovated and houses today shops and different kinds of offices.
History
As a result of the world economic crisis, the department store named Polich on the same site was foreclosed on to C&A. In the end, C&A demolished the old department store because they did not receive permission to continue operating it. The company descided to built this new Merkurhaus from 1936 to 1937 and received a opening permission only from the Minister of Economics, Hermann Göring. The name of the building refers to a statue of Mercury that was part of the previous building. The people of Leipzig did not accept the C&A department store in the first years, it is assumed that loyalty to the previous department store was very high.
After World War II the house was home to a university and a shop for fashion in the groundfloor. Between 1991 and 2001 C&A returned to the building. After several changes the house became renovated and houses today shops and different kinds of offices.
Sources
Sources
