Laeiszhof, Commercial building in Hamburg-Altstadt, Germany
Laeiszhof is a commercial building in Hamburg-Altstadt with a three-winged design, featuring light gray granite at the base and reddish-brown granite blocks on the upper floors. The structure displays the solid craftsmanship typical of major trading houses from the late 1800s.
The building was designed between 1897 and 1898 by architects Bernhard Hanssen, Wilhelm Emil Meerwein, and Martin Haller for the F. Laeisz shipping company. It was built during a period when Hamburg was rapidly expanding as a port city and international trading center.
The entrance facade displays statues of historical figures created by sculptor Bruno Kruse, representing the connection between commerce and Hamburg's maritime tradition. These figures remind visitors of the maritime world that shaped this building.
The building is located near Trostbrucke in the Altstadt area and continues to serve as headquarters for marine insurers and the F. Laeisz shipping company. Visitors can admire the exterior facade and decorative details while walking through this accessible part of the city.
A poodle sculpture sits atop the gable, a reference to Carl Laeisz's wife and the tradition of naming the company's fleet vessels with the letter P. This unusual decoration often goes unnoticed by passersby, though it reveals a personal touch behind the building's design.
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