Kroch-Hochhaus (Kroch High-Rise), Leipzig

The Kroch High-Rise in Leipzig stands as the city's first skyscraper, completed in 1928 for the private bank Kroch Jr. KGaA. Designed by architect German Bestelmeyer, the 43-meter-tall building features a clock tower design inspired by Venice鈥檚 Torre dell鈥橭rologio. Located on the west side of Augustusplatz, it replaced the dilapidated Theaterpassage front building from 1872, previously owned by Leipzig University.

Construction of the Kroch High-Rise began after a competition organized by the bank and Leipzig City Council in 1926. Although no first place was awarded among the 69 submitted designs, Bestelmeyer鈥檚 "Orion" was chosen from the two second-place winners. His design for the twelve-story, limestone-clad office tower aimed to complement the gable height of the nearby Pauline Church, a proposal that stirred controversy over its planned height.

Initially, a provisional building permit allowed only ten floors up to 35.50 meters. To address concerns, the top four floors were constructed as temporary structures to assess the building's impact on the urban landscape. This approach ultimately validated Bestelmeyer's vision, and on December 16, 1927, final approval was granted to complete the high-rise at its intended height of 43.20 meters, making it a landmark of early 20th-century architecture in Leipzig.

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Sight Name: Kroch-Hochhaus (Kroch High-Rise)
Sight Location: Leipzig, Germany (See walking tours in Leipzig)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Leipzig Architectural Jewels

Walking Tours in Leipzig, Germany

Create Your Own Walk in Leipzig

Creating your own self-guided walk in Leipzig is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

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The spatial density of historic locations associated with music in Leipzig is truly mind-boggling. But then again, this is hardly surprising, given the eclectic score of musicians who had left their mark on the city in various years.

Indeed, it was in Leipzig that Johann Sebastian Bach served as an organist and choirmaster at Thomaskirche as well as a cantor at Nikolaikirche; composer Robert... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles

Leipzig Architectural Jewels

Anyone who has ever wanted to delve into Leipzig's history could hardly imagine doing so without exploring the local array of architectural jewels. Indeed, Leipzig boasts one of Germany's most beautiful collections of Renaissance buildings.

Our first point of interest lies in downtown Leipzig at the intersection of Katherine and Bruhl Streets. Here, the stunning Baroque-style Romanus... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.9 Km or 0.6 Miles

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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles

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