Elsbach & Frank, Department store in Mitte, Germany
Elsbach & Frank is a corner building at Osterstraße and Große Packhofstraße with clean lines and window rows from the early 20th century. The structure combines geometric forms with retail spaces and now houses a Zara store while keeping its original architectural character.
Built in 1911 by architect Rudolf Friedrich, the store originally focused on men's and boys' clothing and included an on-site tailoring workshop. The postwar period brought renovations and new tenants, but the core building structure remained intact.
The space shows how department stores became gathering points in the city during the early 20th century, drawing people from across town. The way visitors move through it today continues this function as a central meeting place.
The building sits centrally in the old town and is easy to reach on foot, with the corner location offering good orientation. Access is open to retail visitors during standard shopping hours, and the interior spaces remain accessible throughout the day.
This building is one of the few structures in Hannover's old town that survived World War II air raids without major damage. This preservation makes it a rare survivor from the early 20th century in its original form.
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