The Kirchhofer House of the University of St.Gallen
The Kirchhofer manor with its 27’393 square metres encloses, among others, the impressive economics building. It is built in a country style and is the centrepiece of the property. At the Kirchhofer house, the textile background of the university is linked with the still actively practiced connection of economy and science.
History:
Colonel Paul Kirchhofer (1852-1903) was a textile entrepreneur, an associate of the embroidery and export company Vonwiler, a politician, a patron and benefactor. He acquired the property in 1869 and extensively reconstructed it under the influence of an international style. The half-timbered Kirchhofer house is located on the northern hill range of St.Gallen and was most probably built in the 17th century. Paul Kirchhofer used the Swiss house style to make his farmhouse more presentable.
The family Kirchhofer and their descendants proved farsightedness in the support of youth, education and culture with their patronage. As a unique act of generosity, they have ceded their large property as a gift to the city of St.Gallen. In memory of the former owner Paul Kirchhofer, the property has since been called “Kirchhofer manor”.
Present-day use:
Since 1963, the University of St.Gallen (founded in 1898) is located on the Kirchhofer manor. With the construction of the main building of the university on the area of the former “Magniberg” manor, the location developed from an idyllic park with promi- and horticulture into an international “think tank”, where the fruit of intellectual work can be harvested. The Kirchhofer House, which survived the construction of the new university buildings in 1963, is ever since carefully looked after in memory of the benefactor.