KfW opens newly refurbished "Villa 102" in Frankfurt

• Historical refurbishment of the former literary house at Bockenheimer Landstraße 102
• Ceremony with around 200 guests from politics, business and civil society
• Future face of KfW Stiftung and platform for dialogue and culture

KfW has reopened "Villa 102", the former Frankfurt "Literaturhaus", or literary house, at Bockenheimer Landstraße 102, with a celebratory evening event to round off several years of restoration work, which complies with the standards for the preservation of historical monuments. KfW acquired the building, which is in the immediate vicinity of its Frankfurt headquarters, in 2012 after years of the building standing vacant, with the aim of preserving it as a living cultural monument and to maintain it as a platform for regional and international dialogue. The representative building, designed by the architect Alfred Engelhard in a modest neo-baroque style and built in 1912/1913, had acquired special significance as a literary house in Frankfurt from 1990 to 2005 after an eventful history and has been on the verge of decay ever since.

The refurbishment work, which began in spring 2014, complied with the requirements of the protection of important landmarks by preserving and reconditioning as many historical elements as possible. On the other hand, use was made of the existing possibilities to integrate state-of-the-art technology into the refurbishment, thus creating a wide range of opportunities for the building's future use. At the same time, the best possible energy-efficiency standards in terms of energy consumption were incorporated into the historical renovation.

KfW Stiftung will have a particularly strong presence in Villa 102 with projects that focus on the major social challenges of globalisation, environmental protection, climate change mitigation and demographic change, as well as art and cultural events, making the building accessible again to the general public on a regular basis. In addition, KfW plans to use the building for events and as a platform for dialogue. Modern functional rooms have been created on the second floor that will be used for training purposes.

The Chief Executive Officer of KfW, Dr Bräunig, said at his welcome address: "The inauguration of Villa 102 falls in the year of KfW's 70th birthday, so we have two reasons to celebrate. KfW operates internationally, but has its roots in the financial centre of Frankfurt. Which is why KfW feels a special sense of connection to Villa 102. After watching years of vacancy as its direct neighbour, we decided to take responsibility and preserve this valuable piece of Frankfurt's history. Villa 102 will once again become a symbol of dialogue and communication."

The Minister President of the state of Hesse Volker Bouffier said at the opening ceremony: "Villa 102 has become a real showpiece. Buildings like this have a story to tell. By preserving them, we give the next generations the chance to rediscover and experience this history. I am very pleased that KfW is once again making the villa a cultural venue and ultimately filling this well-known and popular Frankfurt cultural monument with life again. Villa 102 will also be a centre for events organised by KfW-Stiftung. This is a perfect fit. Because KfW is assuming an important social responsibility with the refurbishment and future use of this building. This responsibility is one of our core principles, the foundation of KfW, which once again becomes visible and tangible in the Villa – and can even be visited. And this is a wonderful and important affirmation, especially in KfW's anniversary year," said Minister President Volker Bouffier.

KfW employee and historian Marc Zirlewagen has described in detail the diverse and varied history of Villa 102 in the book "Von der Großbürgervilla zur Kulturinstitution – Die Bockenheimer Landstraße 102" (From Bourgeois Villa to Cultural Institution – Bockenheimer Landstrasse 102). Further information as well as audiovisual documents on the history and preservation of Villa 102 and events are available at www.villa102.de.