Apparently, the architect
submitted his first plans for this building
in 1904. Considering that he had to
adapt his plans on a number of occasions, it
is even more amazing that it took just 10
months to build.
Two of the weather vanes
on the gables are in the form of merchant
ships which, the store's Wikipedia page
claims, reflects the fact that the original
store owners had connections with Hamburg.
The building was heavily
damaged during a bombing raid in 1945 but it
was open for business again in
1947. The store's website says,
"
On the night of 7th January, the
building burnt down as far as the
basement and the public plundered
anything that was left in the way of
goods and stock. In the end, even the
basement was set ablaze." However
in 1947, "...
Around 600sqm retail area of the
Oberpollinger is rebuilt on the Ground
Floor"
The store's website
explains that in 2003,
"...
Renovation work starts, including
extensive modernisation plans. London
architects Virgil & Stone create a
visionary and open design to stamp this
traditional store with an exclusive
character and urban lifestyle
appearance. The investment for this
project is 80 million euros."
They add that by 2006,
"... The
Oberpollinger store´s new look provides
"Shopping de Luxe" over 7 floors and
40,000sqm. Part of this fantastic
premium retail area is taken by the
Beauty Department with Beauty Lounges on
the Ground Floor, a lingerie department
on the 2nd Floor and a Restaurant
Floor."
Evidence of the
expansion of the old building can be seen
in the image below.
