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Origin and history

The building located 1 Place Broglie in Strasbourg was built in 1901 by architects Gottfried-Julius Berninger and Gustave-Henri Krafft for the tailor H. Flach. This iconic building from the 1st quarter of the 20th century is distinguished by its circular oriel angle, crowned with a whipping rib bulb, as well as its double balconies on the upper floors, among the least altered parts of the building. These architectural elements reflect the influence of Art Nouveau in Alsace, then integrated into the German Empire after the annexation of 1871.

Place Broglie, where this building stands, is a major historic place in Strasbourg. Former Place du Marché-aux-Chevaux (Roosmarkt), it was transformed into a walk lined with lime trees in 1740 by Marshal François-Marie de Broglie, then governor of the city. Over the centuries, it has hosted significant events, such as the first public performance of La Marseillaise in 1792, written by Rouget de Lisle in Strasbourg. The square was also the scene of political changes, such as his recommation in "Adolf-Hitler Platz" during the occupation (1940-1945).

The building itself, although less documented than the square, is a testimony of the Strasbourg urban planning of the early 20th century. Its protected elements (vertical tower and balconies on the third and fourth floors) were inscribed in the Historical Monuments by order of 29 October 1975. This status underscores their heritage value in an area where 18th century private hotels and more recent buildings, such as opera or nearby town hall, are mixed.

Today, Broglie Square, a cultural and political epicentre, houses Christkindelsmärik, the oldest Strasbourg Christmas market (since 1570). This market, initially located near the cathedral, was transferred to the square in 1870, strengthening its central role in local life. The 1901 building is thus part of an architectural and historical complex where revolutionary memory, German imperial heritage and Alsatian traditions intersect.

Architects Berninger and Krafft, active in Strasbourg at this time, helped shape the face of the Neustadt (new town), a district built under German domination after 1871. Their building, although of private property, illustrates the adaptation of European architectural styles in a region then under mixed cultural influence. The preserved details, such as the bulb of the lion, recall the artistic exchanges between France and Germany at that time.

Finally, the location of the building, close to the city hall and the municipal theatre, makes it a key element of the urban landscape in Strasbourg. The Place Broglie, with its plane trees and water jets, remains a gathering place, as evidenced by the historic speeches made there, including that of General de Gaulle in 1947, marking the reconstruction of the Republic after the Second World War.

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