Altes Lagerhaus (Old Storehouse)

History: Eastern Switzerland had long been dependent on good trade relations with exporting countries; local demand was far smaller than the quantities of textiles produced. With this expansion of trading activities, the importance of logistics also came to the fore. The success of production companies depended on functioning transportation and storage infrastructures in order to reach distant customers efficiently - and in a way that was gentle on goods. Mail and express steamers had to bring the precious products to New York or Mexico, the East Indies, China, Japan or Australia. The warehouse as a duty-free warehouse made an important contribution to this. Architecture: Built by the “Kaufmännisches Directorium St.Gallen”, the 150-metre-long building is located at the end of the street. It is an exposed brick complex with a transom structure. The axis of symmetry is accentuated, with a tower risalit to the west. Today's use: Today, the warehouse is used multifunctionally for museums, creativity and gastronomy. Culinary delights are served in the loft-style restaurant. At the rear of the building, where goods were once loaded onto railroad wagons, a beer garden protected from view and noise in the middle of the business district offers a particularly precious commodity today: peace and quiet.