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Poelzig-Park der Goethe-Universität
Poelzig-Park der Goethe-Universität
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The site, now a listed historical monument, with its 14-hectare park, looks back on an eventful history – known by names such as the IG Farben Complex, the Abrams Building, or simply the Poelzig Building. Built between 1927 and 1931 on the former land of the Rothschild family, it once served as the headquarters of the world's fourth-largest industrial conglomerate. The architect Hans Poelzig created the monumental building, while landscape architect Max Bromme and the renowned "Bornim Circle" around Karl Foerster designed the park.
The design pursued a clear goal: the landscape architecture was intended to soften the building's austerity. The result is a work of garden art that harmoniously blends architectural forms with a variety of deciduous and coniferous trees and magnificent herbaceous borders. After decades as the US headquarters (1945–1995), the state of Hesse acquired the site for Goethe University. Since its renovation in 2001, the park has been not only a living space for students but also a public oasis of tranquility. With over 50 tree species, historic travertine dry stone walls, and a central reflecting pool, the grounds now offer an aesthetic experience of exceptional quality.