Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Neue Oberpostdirektion, now Metz Post Hotel, was erected in 1905 by the German authorities in a Rhene neo-Roman style. Located in the Place du Général-de-Gaulle, opposite the station, it embodies the desire to make Metz an architectural showcase of the Wilhelmian Empire. Its strategic location, close to the station, met logistical requirements, particularly for the rapid delivery of mail in times of conflict. This building is part of an eclectic urban complex, combining neoroman, neogothic and neorenaissance, reflecting the aesthetic choices of the German architects of the time.

Originally designed by Berlin architect Ewald von Rechenberg, the plans were modified by Ludwig Bettcher (Director of the Architecture Department of Alsace-Lorraine) and Jürgen Kröger, before Gustav Petrich supervised the works from 1907. Inaugurated on 1 May 1911, the building is distinguished by its pink sandstone of the Vosges, broken with the local Jaumont stone. His neoroman style, marked by imposing volumes and a sober ornamentation, illustrates the historicalism prized under William II. Light and ventilation, architectural priorities of the period, are optimized.

Ranked a historic monument since 15 January 1975 for its facades and roofs, the Post Office Hotel underwent restorations in 1944 to repair war damage. After a century of postal service, he celebrated his centenary in 2011 with a retrospective exhibition and a commemorative book. Since 2019, the central post office has left the premises, leaving room for a rehabilitation project including a winter garden, residences and offices, entrusted to Ferrier Marchetti studio.

The building bears witness to the historical duality of Metz, which passed under German rule from 1871 to 1918. Its architecture, both functional and symbolic, served to affirm the imperial presence in a city with a marked French heritage. The materials and the Romanesque neo-Roman style, typical of the Germanic creations in Lorraine, contrast with the classical buildings of the eighteenth century Messin. Today, there is still a major urban marker in the imperial district, alongside the Governor's station or palace.

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