Former building of Christian Fischbacher Co. AG

History: Born in 1803, Christian Fischbacher, a farmer's son from St. Peterzell, founded the company of the same name at the age of 16. He purchased woven goods from local farmers' wives and carried them on foot to the market in the town of St.Gallen, around 30 kilometers away. From the 1830s onwards, Christian Fischbacher purchased yarn himself and had textiles woven at home using the publishing system. In 1854, Christian Fischbacher moved to Oberer Graben 24 in St.Gallen. In the 1870s, he moved his home and company headquarters to Vadianstrasse 6/8, together with his sons, who also worked in the company. In the 1940s, several subsidiaries were founded in the USA, and later also in Europe and Asia. In the 1960s, relationships were also established with Parisian haute couture. After the 1980s, the focus shifted back to home textiles. In 1984, a new head office was built at Mövenstrasse 18 in St.Gallen-Winkeln. The new, spacious premises meant that all the warehouses could be brought together under one roof. Today, Christian Fischbacher Co. AG operates under the name Fischbacher 1819 and operates as a global company with branches in Germany, Japan, France, the Netherlands and Italy. The company is still managed by members of the Fischbacher family - now in its sixth generation. Architecture: The building on Vadianstrasse was built as a double residential and commercial building by the architects Lorenz & Wild for Christian Fischbacher Co AG. One of the two architects - Reinhard Lorenz - designed other important buildings in the city, such as the late classicist residential building at Blumenaustrasse 26 (Villa Landhaus) or the palazzo-like building at St.Leonhardstrasse 15, which served as the city's town hall from 1877 to 1928. Today's use: Vadianstrasse 6/8 is now home to the Office for the Environment and Energy, Energieagentur St.Gallen GmbH and a leather goods store.