Goethestraße 1

This eleven-story reinforced concrete building at the corner of Goethestrasse and Grimmaische Strasse displays a limestone facade with distinctive architectural details from 1911. The structure includes a prominent tower element that commands attention from multiple viewpoints in the surrounding streets.

Architects Arthur Johlige and August Hermann Schmidt designed this structure in 1911 as a department store for menswear retailer Bamberger & Hertz. The building later transitioned to university use and underwent interior modernization in the early 2000s.

The building now houses university collections and institutes that draw students and curious visitors interested in ancient history and linguistics. These institutions shape how locals and travelers experience and use this corner of the city center.

The building sits in central Leipzig and is easily reached on foot from the main shopping district. Access to the university collections inside may have specific hours, so checking ahead helps you plan your visit effectively.

The tower features bell-ringer sculptures by artist Josef Wackerle perched above the main structure. This sculptural detail references the design of Venice's St Mark's Campanile and adds an unexpected cultural layer to this commercial building from the early 1900s.