Ruffinihaus

This is a prominent site by virtue of both being a historical location and marking the transition point between the oldest core of the city and its first expansion in the 13th century.

The Bavarian Office of Monument Preservation describes the building as "romantic-native mood architecture of the highest level for the interpretation of a historicist image of an old town as seen under a picturesque ideal."

Gabriel von Seidl prevailed against the design of a large department store, and suggested developing the block under the name Drei Häuser ("Three houses") while keeping the impression of smaller structures and the individual shops of the previous building.

The main building faces north; its narrow side marks the end of Rose Street coming from the Marienplatz.

On the west side, the facade follows the convex shape of the street layout of Sendlingerstraße; the east wing facing the Rindermarkt has a straight baseline.

The facade of the upper floors is richly decorated with stucco and bas-relief, which were designed by Julius Seidler and Philipp Widmer.

These depict allegories of virtues and occupations, as well as symbols for professions and ranks surrounded by cartouches and connected by festoons.

The style of the motifs draws on rural construction forms from the foothills of the Alps and mixes them with aspects of old Munich town houses.