Chemnitz towers: The Schubert & Salzer clock tower
Location: Altchemnitz, Annaberger Straße 73
Construction period: 1927-1928
Architect: Erich Basarke
The Chemnitz architect Erich Basarke (1878-1941) created a number of important buildings that still characterise the cityscape today. The clock tower of the Schubert & Salzer company on Annaberger Straße is one of the "outstanding" buildings in the truest sense of the word. The history of the company began in 1883 with the manufacture of hosiery machines by Carl Schubert and Bruno Salzer. The company headquarters, initially located in the city centre, soon had to be relocated to a larger site on what was then the city boundary in the direction of Altchemnitz due to lack of space. The Chemnitz warp knitting machine factory was founded in 1889. The expansion of the product range to include cash registers and bicycles finally led to the company being renamed Schubert & Salzer Maschinenfabrik AG in 1904. Gradually, an extensive complex with buildings and halls for production, administration and exhibition purposes was built on the site between Annaberger Straße, Lothringer Straße and Elsasser Straße as well as the railway tracks.
The Chemnitz office of Erich Basarke and Alfred Zapp had been working for Schubert & Salzer since 1911 and realised numerous conversions and extensions in sophisticated designs in the following years. The highlight was the 53 metre high tower, which was erected in 1927 as part of the new forge. This tower combines various functions: Lift shaft, water tank, clock tower and observation tower. Thanks to its memorable shape, it quickly became the company's logo and an unmistakable landmark for the city - not only during the day, but also at night, when it was effectively highlighted by floodlights. Architecturally, Basarke was inspired by medieval town and family towers, such as those found in Florence or Bologna. Visible from afar, four dials show the time, supported by two cast steel bells from the Lauchhammer factory for the quarter and hour strike.
The tower is now part of the "Wirkbau" business park and, like the other buildings of the former Schubert & Salzer company, is a listed building.