Offenbach's Kaufhof facade: 97% want historical preservation!

Offenbach's Kaufhof facade: 97% want historical preservation!

Offenbach, Deutschland - In Offenbach there is an overwhelming wish for receiving the historical facade of the former Kaufhof. A survey in the Facebook community "This is Offenbach" showed that 97.22 percent of the 1,544 participants vote for the preservation of the facade. Only 1.23 percent are, while 1.55 percent do not comment. This survey, although not representative, shows the strong emotional binding of the citizens to this historic building. At the same time, a partial opening of the facade took place on November 27, with the expert Dr. Anette Ritter-Höll examined the sandstone structures to evaluate the state of conservation. The city of Offenbach plans to convert the Kaufhof building into a learning and meeting center with a new city library, event rooms and retail areas, such as Offenbach.de reported .

planned redesign for the "Middle Station"

The former Kaufhof building, which was acquired in January 2024 for around 13 million euros, is to become the central point of contact for learning and culture in Offenbach. The total cost of the renovation was estimated at around 22 million euros, with a planned completion in 2026. While the survey provides a clear picture, the decision on the preservation of the historical facade remains complex. The city must consider the high renovation costs and the technical feasibility, which could possibly influence public opinion, as already Of-News.de .

The citizens were pleased with the partial opening, which gave them a look at the hidden splendor of the sandstone. A photo documentation is also created that flows into the report that Dr. Ritter-Höll will create after her investigation. The condition of the facade and the determination to what extent it can be renovated will be of crucial importance for the further development of the project.