Hamburg, April 22 – The historic 1908 paternoster elevator, a protected monument located in the Flüggerhaus building at Rödingsmarkt, has reportedly been dismantled without official approval. The monument protection office has since issued a building freeze on the property. The unapproved removal of the elevator, considered the oldest paternoster in the world, has sparked outrage among local preservation groups.
Unauthorized Dismantling and Building Freeze Issued
The first reports of the paternoster’s disappearance emerged on Wednesday. According to the NDR, the monument protection office confirmed that the dismantling occurred without the necessary permits. As a direct consequence, a building freeze has been imposed on the Flüggerhaus to allow for a thorough assessment of the damage and to determine the next steps.
Patric Wagner, the responsible restorer who dedicated significant effort to the elevator’s restoration, expressed his dismay to the NDR, calling the incident “a slap in the face.”
A Forgotten Treasure Rediscovered and Restored
The paternoster, dating back to 1908, had been out of service since 1979 and largely forgotten. Its rediscovery in 2018 by an art historian behind a wall panel in the Flüggerhaus brought it back into the public eye. Following its rediscovery, Wagner and his team invested over 2,500 working hours in its meticulous restoration, bringing this unique piece of industrial heritage back to life.
New Owner Remains Silent Amidst Accusations
The exact circumstances surrounding the paternoster’s removal and the motivations behind it remain unclear. The former owner of the Flüggerhaus, the Signa Group, had filed for bankruptcy. The new owner, Hamburg investor Harm Müller-Spreer, has so far declined to comment on the matter.
“Unscrupulous Act,” Says Monument Association
Kristina Sassenscheidt of the Denkmalverein (Monument Association) has leveled severe accusations against the new owner. “We, as a monument association, have never experienced anything like this. It is beyond unscrupulous. The owner is an experienced real estate owner, and he knew exactly what he was doing,” Sassenscheidt stated. The Denkmalverein is calling for a thorough investigation and appropriate consequences for the unauthorized dismantling of a protected monument.
The monument protection office is currently evaluating the extent of the damage caused by the removal and will then decide on further actions. The incident has raised concerns about the protection of historical buildings and artifacts in Hamburg.
Broader Implications for Heritage Preservation
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges in preserving historical heritage, especially when properties change ownership. The Flüggerhaus paternoster was not just a functional elevator but a significant piece of Hamburg’s architectural and industrial history, representing a bygone era of engineering and design.
The removal of the paternoster has prompted calls for stricter enforcement of monument protection laws and greater accountability from property owners. Local authorities and heritage organizations are expected to intensify their efforts to prevent similar incidents in the future and to ensure that Hamburg’s rich historical fabric is preserved for future generations.
Further details regarding the investigation and any potential legal actions are anticipated in the coming weeks as the monument protection office completes its assessment.
