Städtisches Kaufhaus (Municipal Department Store), Leipzig

The Municipal Department Store (Städtisches Kaufhaus) in Leipzig is a notable example of Baroque Revival architecture designed by municipal architects Rayher, Korber, and Müller. Constructed between 1894 and 1901, this building stands as a testament to over 500 years of Leipzig's vibrant history in trade and culture. Originally, this site hosted the first Gewandhaus, or "cloth-house," constructed between 1477 and 1498 to accommodate foreign cloth merchants, following the imperial fair privilege granted to Leipzig in 1497, which cemented the city's status as a significant trading hub. This building also housed the armory (Zeughaus) of the time.

The original Gewandhaus was replaced by the municipal library from 1740 to 1744, which also included an armory. In the late 18th century, the armory was converted into a concert hall designed by Johann Carl Friedrich Dauthe, becoming the first permanent home for the Gewandhaus Orchestra. This venue hosted performances by composers like Mendelssohn, Mozart, and Liszt. Due to limited capacity, the orchestra moved to the Neues Concerthaus in 1884 and later to the third Gewandhaus at Augustusplatz after WWII.

Severely damaged by aerial bombing in 1943, the Municipal Department Store building saw partial reconstruction during the GDR era, with some parts remaining in ruins until the 1980s. Following German reunification, the building underwent reconstruction between 1993 and 1996, with careful attention to its historical significance. Today, the building houses approximately 13,000 square meters of office space and 7,000 square meters of retail outlets and restaurants, making the term 'municipal store' somewhat outdated. The origin of the name remains unclear.

Among its attractions are the statue of Emperor Maximilian at University Street (Universitätsstraße), the baroque stairway featuring a memorial plaque at the former entrance to the Gewandhaus orchestra hall, Leipzig's oldest preserved elevator, and the 'Straße der Stars'—a walk of fame-style exhibition displaying hand imprints of notable figures such as Mariah Carey, Max Schmeling, and Hans Dietrich Genscher in the courtyard.