Impressive villa in Marienburg

The villa "Unter den Ulmen" in Cologne Marienburg, built around 1908 by the renowned architect Eugen Fabricius, is an outstanding example of early 20th-century architecture. The building's architecture is oriented towards the South German Baroque style and showcases the characteristic form and aesthetics of this era. Due to its architectural and urban significance, the villa was placed under monument protection in 1982. The villa is located on a corner plot and, with its prominent location and architecture, shapes the image of the Marienburg villa district. Together with the opposite villa on Bayenthalgürtel, also designed by Fabricius, it forms a representative entrance to the suburban villa area. The stylistic diversity and uniformity of proportions are typical for the Marienburg villa colony. The building itself features typical elements of the early 20th century, such as a mansard roof, a structured façade with plaster and brick base, and the symmetrical arrangement of window axes. Inside, the historical substance has largely been preserved, including the original room doors, wooden staircase, and herringbone parquet on the ground floor. In recent years, extensive renovation measures have been taken, carried out in close coordination with the monument protection authority. Special emphasis was placed on preserving the historical building substance and integrating modern technology. The measures include the renewal of windows, restoration of the roof structure and dormers, as well as improving the waterproofing of the basement. Inside the building, the sanitary and electrical installations were updated, with modern KNX technology providing intelligent control of lighting and heating. At the same time, the historical room layout was maintained. To facilitate access, a barrier-free elevator from the basement to the attic was integrated. Additional extensions, such as an expansion of the living area with a new terrace and a garage construction, were planned to meet modern comfort requirements while harmoniously blending into the historical architecture. By choosing anodized aluminum panels for the façade of the extension, a clear distinction between old and new is enabled, yet the overall character of the property is preserved. The extensive renovations and modernizations illustrate the endeavor to preserve the villa as a significant monument while adapting it to contemporary standards.