Oberpollinger, around 1900
Oberpollinger Atrium, around 1900
Oberpollinger Sales Floor, around 1930
Oberpollinger completely rebuilt in the 1950s
Oberpollinger in the 1970s
Oberpollinger 2008
14th April 1903
Construction begins on the lavish building that features a glass atrium and lifts for both customers and staff, setting new standards.
15th March 1905
The business-minded Hanseatic family Emden & Söhne charmed the people of Munich with the opening of their department store Oberpollinger. Customers and the press alike were thrilled with the luxury store, which the newspaper 'Münchner Neuesten Nachrichten' described as a breath of fresh air.
8th January 1927
Rudolph Karstadt acquired the Oberpollinger store for 3 million Reichsmark.
His business boomed as a result of his revolutionary business model - low prices and cash payments instead of haggling and credit notes.
1930s and 1940s
During the 1930s and 1940s, Adolf Hitler did everything to drive Germany's graceful department stores out of business. They were classed as 'capitalist profiteers without roots' in the National Socialist ideology and steps were taken to boycott stores and to drastically restrict their ability to trade.
January 1945
On the night of 7th January, the building burnt down as far as the basement and the public plundered anything that was left in the way of goods and stock. In the end, even the basement was set ablaze.
1947
Around 600sqm retail area of the Oberpollinger is rebuilt on the Ground Floor.
1954
A new epoch dawns in the store's history. The rebuilding of Oberpollinger is complete and the re-opening of the elegant, traditional store is celebrated. Approximately 2,000 employees are now employed in these new modern rooms and the range of products has increased tremendously compared to pre-war days. Oberpollinger is celebrated as a 'location for supplies to both town and region, providing quality goods at a low price'.
1972
Munich presents its new pedestrian shopping zone to its international visitors just in time for the Olympic Games. This grand boulevard, situated between Marienplatz and Stachus is lined with historical buildings, fountains, cafes, restaurants and the facade of the historical Oberpollinger store.
2003
Renovation work starts, including extensive modernisation plans. London architects Virgil & Stone create a visionary and open design to stamp this traditional store with an exclusive character and urban lifestyle appearance. The investment for this project is 80 million euros.
2006
The Oberpollinger store´s new look provides "Shopping de Luxe" over 7 floors and 40,000sqm. Part of this fantastic premium retail area is taken by the Beauty Department with Beauty Lounges on the Ground Floor, a lingerie department on the 2nd Floor and a Restaurant Floor.
September 2007
Karstadt Oberpollinger becomes Oberpollinger and follows the example of the legendary flagship KaDeWe store in Berlin by aligning its entire product range to the luxury demands of its national and international client base - and also follows the new Karstadt Premium Stores style.
March 2008
Premium upgrade of the Fashion Department. On 27th March, the Premium store celebrates its new Fashion Location with three floors of womenswear, Menswear and lingerie.
Autumn 2008
Reorganisation of the Ground Floor to follow the KaDeWe style with its international luxury accessories and another Premium upgrade of the Beauty Department.
02. Dezember 2008
Neu-Eröffnung des Oberpollinger mit Presse, Prominenz, Partnern und Freunden des Hauses.
02. April 2009
Der Hauptverband des Deutschen Einzelhandels kürt in Berlin die besten Läden des Jahres mit dem "Store of the Year 2009".
Der Sonderpreis geht an den Oberpollinger, vom HDE als "einer viel bewunderten Shoppingoasen, einem der modernsten und besten Departmentstores Europas" bezeichnet.