Oranienburg granary

The Oranienburg granary, or Oranienburger Speicher as it is known locally, stands as a towering testament to the industrial heritage of Oranienburg in Brandenburg, Germany. With a height of approximately 37 meters, this granary is the second tallest building in Oranienburg and one of the city's most recognizable landmarks. Constructed in 1917 as a silo building for the Oranienburg steam mill, its imposing presence along the Havel River has significantly shaped the city's skyline. The granary's architectural significance is highlighted by its unique combination of reinforced concrete construction and baroque façade design, earning it a spot on the protected monuments list since 1995.

The Historical Roots

The origins of the Oranienburg granary are deeply intertwined with the history of the Oranienburg steam mill, founded in 1875. The granary was born out of necessity after a devastating fire in 1916 destroyed the original grain storage facility. The new structure, approved for construction in October 1917, was designed by the Berlin-based architectural firm Enders and Lichtenstein and built by the Berlin division of Cementbau-Aktiengesellschaft from Hanover. Utilizing 165 tons of iron and 14,000 sacks of cement, the granary became one of the first buildings in the region to feature reinforced concrete construction. Its 16 cells could store up to 4,000 tons of grain, supplied directly from the Havel River or via loading ramps equipped with specialized suction and screw conveyor systems.

Architectural Marvel

The architectural design of the Oranienburg granary is a deliberate homage to the nearby Oranienburg Palace. The upper floors of the building are adorned with a neo-baroque façade, complete with a tower featuring a curved saddle roof and baroque gables. This stylistic choice was intended to create a visual connection between the granary and the palace, blending industrial functionality with aesthetic grandeur. The top of the tower also housed a 9 cubic meter water tank and an attached sprinkler system for fire protection, reflecting the building's innovative approach to safety and design.

Changing Ownership and Challenges

After World War I, the granary and the steam mill changed hands several times. Initially acquired by Kampffmeyer Mühlen GmbH, one of Germany's largest grain product suppliers, the property was later sold to Max Lazarus, a businessman from Berlin-Grunewald, in 1926. The steam mill was destroyed by a short circuit in 1930, but the granary survived thanks to the efforts of firefighters, some of whom came from Berlin. The granary then served as a silo for the newly established Oranienburg Storage and Grain Company.

During World War II, parts of the granary complex were repurposed as a prisoner-of-war camp. The Auergesellschaft company converted the ground floor of the granary's second storage building to accommodate up to 35 prisoners. Despite the heavy bombings that ravaged Oranienburg, the granary remained largely unscathed, standing tall amidst the ruins at the war's end.

Post-War to Present Day

In the post-war years, the granary continued to function as a storage facility until it was decommissioned in the mid-1970s. It then stood vacant for several decades until it was listed as a protected monument in 1995, ensuring its preservation as part of Oranienburg's cultural heritage. In 2014, plans emerged to transform the granary into a residential complex, but these were initially thwarted by heritage protection regulations.

In 2016, the TAS Group from Hamburg acquired the property, intending to develop over 260 apartments on the site, with 22 units within the historic granary itself. However, the project faced significant hurdles. By March 2019, the TAS Group announced potential plans to demolish the granary due to substantial damage that was not apparent at the time of purchase. The estimated cost of renovation and conversion exceeded 12 million euros, prompting the company to file for demolition approval in August 2019.

Community Efforts and Future Prospects

The proposed demolition sparked widespread opposition from the local community and the city of Oranienburg. A citizens' initiative to save the granary garnered around 1,600 signatures, and the city council passed a resolution in January 2020 supporting its preservation. The local heritage protection authority also rejected the demolition request, arguing that the entire development project should be evaluated as a single entity.

In a surprising turn of events, the TAS Group sold the granary to Reinvesta GmbH from Berlin in April 2021. The new owner pledged to renovate the building within two years, converting it into 22 condominium units with a total living area of approximately 1,800 square meters. This development marks a new chapter in the storied history of the Oranienburg granary, ensuring that this architectural gem will continue to be a prominent feature of Oranienburg's landscape for years to come.

In conclusion, the Oranienburg granary is not just a relic of the past but a symbol of resilience and architectural ingenuity. Its journey from a functional silo to a contested historical monument and finally to a potential residential landmark reflects the dynamic interplay between heritage preservation and modern development. For visitors to Oranienburg, the granary offers a fascinating glimpse into the city's industrial past and its ongoing efforts to balance history with progress.