The building was part of a network of department stores with more than 20 units throughout the Eastern German Empire (in particular Marienwerder, Malbork, Schwetz, Berlin, Coburg and Brandenburg).

[2] The "Kaufhaus Conitzer & Söhne", which opened on October 4, 1911, was the first department store in the West Prussian-Polish territory that introduced the concept of a new way of trading supported by large commercial buildings.

A fire in 1945 kindled by Red Army soldiers destroyed many sections of the edifice: the building lost a sloping roof with round windows.

In 1947, the owner PSS Społem made the necessary repairs and modifications which allowed the building to house offices and warehouses.

At this time in Bydgoszcz, the "Kaufhaus Conitzer & Söhne" building pioneered the use of reinforced concrete in a modern design.

Intriguing decorative motives stand on the main facade include: a Greek amphora with dangling vine shoots and vases; theatrical masks (tragic and comic); and animal figures (a sleeping cat, a sitting monkey, an owl protecting its two cubs).

On the pediment of the ground floor window, the image of Silenus can be found, and above, on each of the slender columns stand 2 sculptures: a boy playing the flute, with winegrapes hanging on the hips; and a child holding basket of fruit with a bird under his arm.