Munich-Laim: Oldest gas station in Bavaria before monument protection!

Munich-Laim: Oldest gas station in Bavaria before monument protection!

In Munich-Laim, a very special building could soon be listed as a historical monument: the former gas station and the former bicycle shop at Lutzstrasse 38. This gas station, which is considered the oldest recorded gas station in Bavaria, was built between 1934 and 1935 and then redesigned between 1953 and 1954. Loud tz.de A report from the Bavarian State Office for Monument Preservation (BLfD) confirms their historical and artistic significance.

The history goes back to 1929, when Georg Wols' gas station was opened as a fuel sales point. On the corner of Agnes-Bernauer-Straße, this building documents not only the urbanization of Laim, but also the motorization of Munich up to the 1950s. An exciting aspect is that the tram has been running on Agnes-Bernauer-Straße since 1908, which illustrates the development of local transport in this region.

Architecture with history

The Munich architect Oskar Popp, known for his modern architectural language, designed the building. The design reflects the aesthetics of the 1950s, especially after the remodeling by the Peteranderl construction company. This redesign is not only a feast for the eyes, but also shows the attitude to life and the architectural trends of that time, which emerged in the course of the reconstruction after the Second World War.

Using a building as a gas station could soon be a thing of the past in an increasingly electrified world. Because the gas station landscape is changing everywhere in Germany. While some, like those in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, were recently placed on the monument list and represent the “upturn of the 1950s”, the fate of many similar buildings is sealed. The loss or transformation of these structures is often explained by the development of car traffic and the associated infrastructure changes sueddeutsche.de reported.

From the past to the future

Monument protection is not only a piece of nostalgia, but also opens up opportunities for the owners. You can benefit from funding opportunities, including tax breaks and support payments, once the building is listed.

The BlfD's current review stipulates that the committee examines the criteria for monument protection and informs the municipality. They then have three months to submit their comments. If no comment is made, the behavior is automatically considered established. If the inspection is positive, the owner must comply with future maintenance and permit requirements.

In times when many gas stations are falling victim to some kind of modernization, the preservation of such contemporary witnesses is becoming increasingly important. According to the website alte-tankstellen.de The topic of gas station architecture is often overlooked in Germany, even though there is a lot of history to tell. Protecting Bavaria's oldest gas station would not only preserve a piece of Munich's history, but also underline the country's architectural diversity.