Piotrkowska Street is one of the most recognisable landmarks of Łódź, popular with locals and tourists alike. A walk down this street allows you to discover the city’s rich history and unique examples of architecture. One of the most characteristic buildings is the Esplanade, formerly known as the Hugo Schmechel and Julian Rosner Department Store, which is located at 100a Piotrkowska Street. This building is an extraordinary example of Art Nouveau not only in Lodz, but also in Poland and Europe.
History of the Esplanade
The history of the building at 100a Piotrkowska Street dates back to 1909. At that time, the merchants Hugo Schmechel and Julian Rosner decided to lease part of the property belonging to the Assembly of Weavers. Their aim was to create a modern department store. Later that year, a two-storey building in the Art Nouveau style was constructed, designed by Finnish architect August Furuhjelm, who at the time was the city architect of Lodz. A distinctive feature of this structure is the large shop window on the first floor, which emphasised the modern character of the building and was the quintessence of the then very fashionable Art Nouveau style.
Piotrkowska Street on a postcard from the early 20th century. Source: Regionalia Ziemi Łódzkiej
Transformation of the function of the Hugo Schmechel and Julian Rosner department store
In 1926, Lawrence Gerbich, the new tenant of the building, transformed the department store into a café and patisserie. After extensive renovation over a period of two years, the premises were renamed “Esplanada”. Thanks to its central location on Piotrkowska Street, it quickly gained popularity as a social and cultural meeting place. During the Second World War, the premises retained its function and name, although the management was taken over by the German authorities.
After the war, the building came under the management of Powszechna Spółdzielnia Spożywców “Społem”. In 1946, the premises were transformed into a shop offering a variety of products from stationery and toys to textiles and footwear. Its former character was partially retained, leaving a small confectionery on the ground floor. In the 1990s, the building underwent extensive renovation and its original function was restored, with the opening of the Bierhalle Esplanada.

Esplanade – a symbol of Art Nouveau Lodz
Today, the Esplanade is both a witness to the dynamic changes in the city’s history and an important example of Art Nouveau architecture, standing out not only in Poland but in the whole of Europe. Its distinctive elements and rich ornamentation place it among the most beautiful townhouses in Lodz, and there is a lot of competition.
Source: chaoswpodrozy.blogspot.com, urbanity.pl
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