This Karstadt building complex in Essen consists of three interconnected, three to four-storey low-rise buildings, each measuring 70 x 70 meters. They contain office spaces, areas for central purchasing and storage space.

The building was designed as a reinforced concrete construction. The external columns, the outer finish of the ceiling construction and the entire façade are made of prefabricated concrete elements. These elements were produced with white cement and white aggregates and their visible surface was polished. Together with the storey-high ribbon windows, the façade structure emphasizes the horizontal and is only interrupted vertically in a few places by the external emergency staircases, which—also clad with the light-coloured prefabricated elements—add a round element to the cubic building shape.

In use. Heritage listed since 2017. Originally exposed concrete later painted white (last updated on August 1, 2024).

Special thanks to Michael-T. Neuhaus