With the development of the “monopol491” residential district, the history of the former site of the Federal Monopoly Administration for Spirits is being continued in a special way. To make the area usable for new residential development, the existing industrial buildings were largely dismantled. However, during the public participation process, a desire was expressed early on to visibly preserve the site’s past—under the guiding principle “History remains.”
Therefore, the building in the neighborhood center was preserved and numerous artifacts from its former use were salvaged. These historical elements formed the basis for an art-in-architecture project that transfers the site’s identity into the new residential complex.
In coordination with the City of Nuremberg’s Advisory Board for Fine Arts and the Professional Association of Visual Artists (BBK) Nuremberg Middle Franconia, five artists were selected for an invited competition. A specialist jury, consisting of representatives from the independent arts scene and members of the BBK board, decided on the submitted designs. Managing Director Ralf Schekira participated as a specialist judge for wbg Nürnberg. The goal of the competition was to create new, permanent artworks from the salvaged relics of the former use, carrying the history of the site forward in a contemporary form.
At the jury meeting on July 21, 2025, the design by artist duo Karl Schnell and Klaus-Leo Drechsel was awarded first prize. Under the title “Bunte Köpfe Stahl Gewächse,” three independent artworks were created that engage with the historical materials in a way that is both playful and striking.
The jury particularly praised the creative reinterpretation of the found objects: pipes are joined to form a new, large-scale neighborhood emblem; technical elements such as warning lights and gate valves are transformed into a sculptural plant; and spark arrestors are further developed into colorful heads. Taken as a whole, the works connect past and present in a surprising and identity-forming way.
During the ceremonial unveiling, Deputy Mayor for Culture Julia Lehner emphasized: “The promotion of art and culture has been part of wbg’s DNA for many decades. I am therefore all the more pleased that several special artworks have been created in this new district, making history visible and enriching the location.”
Daniel F. Ulrich, City Councilor for Planning and Building, also underlined the importance of art in urban spaces: “Art-in-architecture is an important contribution to the quality of our city. It creates identity and makes neighborhoods livable and lovable. The fact that wbg adheres to this standard even under challenging conditions is a strong signal.”
For wbg Managing Director Ralf Schekira, the unveiling also marks an important project milestone: “With the completion of the artworks, we are concluding the first major construction phase in the monopol491 district. In line with our commitment to designing LivingSpaces, more than just housing is being created here: the artworks give the neighborhood its own face and invite people to engage with the site and its history.”
A brochure documenting the creation process and providing background information on the works has been produced to accompany the artworks. This is available through wbg Nürnberg’s Corporate Communications department.
