The Städtisches Kaufhaus in Leipzig, designed by the municipal architects Rayher, Korber and Müller in the style of Baroque Revival architecture, was constructed from 1894 to 1901.

This piece of land and architectural monument reflects 500 years of Leipzig's inner city's history of trading and culture.

After nearly 250 years of utilisation, the first Gewandhaus was torn down and, from 1740 to 1744, replaced by the municipal library, which was erected elaborately and again hosted an armory (in its east wing).

[6] As Leipzig's Trade Fair Site was newly constructed near the airport, the Städtisches Kaufhaus nowadays is home to offices (some 13,000 m² rental office space), retail outlets and restaurants (some 7,000 m² rental non-office space).

Touristic attractions are the statue of emperor Maximilian[5] at the Universitätsstraße, the baroque stairway (with memorial badge at the former entrance to the Gewandhaus orchestra hall), Leipzig's oldest conserved elevator[3] and the 'Straße der Stars', a walk of fame-like exhibition of hand imprints of prominent people (e. g. Mariah Carey, Max Schmeling, Hans Dietrich Genscher) in the courtyard.