Museum für sächsische Fahrzeuge Chemnitz e.V. in den Stern-Garagen

With the start of mass production of the car, the problem of parked vehicles arises in city centres. There are not yet enough parking spaces. But those lucky enough to own a car want to know that their pride and joy is safely looked after, even at night. Alongside major German cities such as Berlin, Stuttgart and Leipzig, Chemnitz also faced a parking problem in the 1920s. This was particularly true on the Kaßberg, where the affluent middle classes lived and there were many cars. The idea of a multi-storey car park was conceived. With a relatively small footprint compared to its height, a multi-storey building complex was to be able to accommodate a large number of vehicles. And this, as close to the city centre as possible.

“The Stern car park, or these multi-storey car parks – which were also known as ‘Hochgaragenhof’ at the time – were built throughout Germany in the 1920s, but mainly in cities with close links to the motor industry. In Chemnitz, this was due to the Wanderer and, later, Auto-Union plants being located in the immediate vicinity of the city centre. The modernity of this multi-storey car park is also evident in its access system: cars were transported to the upper floors by lifts, whereas other car parks at the time still relied on access ramps and spiral ramps; here, the design was very modern. And with 300 parking spaces, it was also one of the largest of its kind, comparable to those in Berlin.”

The designs by the government architect Schindler, in collaboration with the architectural firm Luderer and Schröder, served as the blueprint for the construction of the second large-scale car park in Germany, with up to 400 car parking spaces. Instead of the car park ramps commonly used today, three space-saving large lifts transport the cars to one of the five upper floors. These car lifts are 2.60 metres wide and just under 6 metres deep. They can move vehicles weighing up to three tonnes. There are also separate passenger lifts. Some of these lifts are still in operation today.

On the five upper levels, the parking spaces are let on a long-term basis to affluent residents of Chemnitz as lockable boxes. The parking spaces on the ground floor are available for the cars of business travellers. The facilities are impressive, featuring a petrol station, a so-called ‘repair centre’ – now known as a garage – as well as car wash bays on every level. There are also spare parts shops, a tyre service and a battery service. With up to 30 employees, the Chemnitz Sterngaragenhof is developing into a full-service company for cars and motorbikes. But chauffeurs are not forgotten either. The garage complex features staff lounges, and even washrooms with shower facilities and cloakrooms. Next door, a building is being converted into a hotel and attached to the garage complex. It also houses a casino. The service must be of the highest standard. After all, most customers come from high society. At that time, by no means everyone could afford a set of wheels.

The multi-storey car park is a reinforced concrete frame structure. The floors and roof consist of reinforced concrete slabs, each with a floor area of approximately 1,000 square metres. These serve to provide lateral bracing for the multi-storey car park. The construction work is being carried out by the Chemnitz-based company Ernst Wiesel. In keeping with the building’s purpose, the façade is austere and linear. The large steel-barred windows on the main façade facing the Walkgraben ensure sufficient natural light during the day and also provide good ventilation.

One curious detail: the plans were based on a future change to the traffic layout. The rear of the car park was intended to become the front at a later date. However, the busy Zwickauer Straße has remained where it has always been. And the planned front of the car park is situated on a dead-end street off Walkgraben.

The building is praised in the local press as follows: “The multi-storey car park will not only serve motorists, but will also enhance the streetscape. This colossal structure, with its façade of ten windows, will further cement Chemnitz’s reputation as Saxony’s industrial metropolis and an up-and-coming city that is equal to all the demands of our turbulent times. And this high-rise will tower above all the houses and cottages in its vicinity.”

The fire safety measures are outstanding. These include two emergency stairwells arranged diagonally in the floor plan, as well as fire doors designed to secure individual sections of the building in the event of a fire. When it opened in October 1928, the multi-storey car park was one of the most modern of its kind in Germany.

By 1940, the multi-storey car park had already ceased operations. During the Second World War, anti-aircraft guns were stationed on the roof to defend against Allied air raids. However, these did not prevent the buildings from being hit. The adjoining building, which was used as a hotel, burnt down completely, whilst the multi-storey car park escaped relatively unscathed. After the war, the district council’s trust department took over the property and had it refurbished. In 1953, a wholesale firm specialising in household goods moved in, and from then on the former multi-storey car park was used as a warehouse. One floor was reserved for the district council’s motor pool.

After German reunification, an open-plan office for 30 employees was created on one of the upper floors. Another open-plan office served as a retail shop for household goods and toys. The Chemnitz Industrial Museum also rented storage rooms from time to time, and a designer furniture shop occupied one floor. In 1994, the property was transferred back to its former owners, the Borchardt family, who were based in Berlin and Munich.

The history of the Sterngaragenhof on Zwickauer Straße does not end there, however. In 2008, a motoring museum opened in the building and has since captivated many car enthusiasts with its exhibits. Visitors can particularly admire vehicles from the history of Saxon motor vehicle manufacturing. In chronologically arranged themed displays, cars – including models from the Wanderer and DKW brands – have been restored by experts and are exhibited alongside motorbikes and bicycles. There are around 200 exhibits from some 70 makes, spread over more than 1,000 square metres. These also include artefacts from the world of motor racing. A lovingly recreated historic workshop scene is sure to amaze visitors, not just those with a nostalgic streak. The Chemnitz Vehicle Museum is well worth a visit.