The landmark building, with its gothic façade, was built in 1860 and is
located in the center of Cologne, in the Gereon Quarter.

Presumably, the 4.5 meters (13 ½ feet) wide building was an addition
to a larger structure with the same façade which served as a cloister
to the Gereon church, and was destroyed in the war.

During a renovation in the 70’s, the historical facade of the building
was covered with tiles, and many other original elements were removed
or left to rot. Over the following three decades, heavy damages to the
building necessitated another, more thorough renovation. As architects,
we strove to modernize the structure, while retaining and revealing
its unique, historic charm.