Genzmer, Felix August Helfgott

Architect, Painter

Born: 22.11.1856 in Labes (Pomerania)

died: 06.08.1929 in Berlin

After studying at the Royal Polytechnic in Hanover and the Polytechnic in Stuttgart, Genzmer came to Wiesbaden via Strasbourg, Saargemünd, Cologne, Hagen and Berlin, where he was master builder from 1894 to 1903.

The numerous urban planning projects that Genzmer was able to realize include the design of the market square, the construction of the Schlossplatz School, the Blücher School and the Gutenberg School, the breakthrough of the Heidenmauer through the Römertor and the construction of the Armenarbeitshaus (now the Salvation Army's men's hostel). The Wiesbaden theater foyer (1901/02), designed in the opulent neo-Rococo style, is his most representative work and one of the most important festive buildings of the Wilhelmine period. Genzmer was also responsible for decorating the city for special occasions. For the festive unveiling ceremony of the Kaiser Friedrich monument in September 1897 in the presence of the German and Italian ruling couple, he was awarded the Royal Order of the Crown IV. Class and the Officer's Cross of the Italian Order of the Crown. In February 1901, Kaiser Wilhelm II awarded him the title of "Royal Court Architect".

When Genzmer retired from the municipal service in March 1903 after various disputes with the city's leaders, mainly over the new Kurhaus building, the "Rheinischer Kurier" reported: "Now that he is leaving, his former opponents and friends will probably unite in regretting that it was not possible to retain such a force in our community." Genzmer went to Berlin, where he was entrusted with the architectural direction of the Royal Theaters. He was also given a chair for the architectural disciplines of "Colored Decoration" and "Artistic Urban Planning" at the Royal Technical University in Charlottenburg.