THE IMPERIAL QUARTER

Playing a unifying role, in the spirit of Wilhelm II, the postal service was of central concern of the Emperor. Attached to the Alsace-Lorraine postal service, the architect Ludwig Bettcher designed the project in a Romanesque Revival style - imposed by Emperor Wilhelm II - with great focus on functionality. Built from 1908 in pink sandstone from the Vosges, the post office was opened in 1911.

In 1873 the old Metz railway station was destroyed by fire so a new station was built in yellow Jaumont limestone. The German architect, Jacobstahl, chose to build the station in the form of an Italian-style, neo-Renaissance palace with two side wings symbolising triumphal arches and with rich ornamentation.

Inspired by the theories of Camillo Sitte on the art of building cities, the streets open onto the square in irregular fashion, the space is staged and green spaces coexist with the buildings. The square imposes its imperial stamp through the powerful buildings that surround it such as the old Hôtel des Corporations and the former Imperial Bank.

A cylindrical artillery tower built in the 15th century on the corner of the old ramparts, the Tour Camoufle was named after a master bomber, a valiant soldier, who saved the city several times.

Avenue Foch was built on the demolished ramparts of the old town between 1903 and 1914. On the old town side there are villas with gardens, a tree-lined path in the centre and businesses and shops towards the train station. The buildings on either side create a remarkable ensemble of diversity and eclectic architectural styles.

This square provides a link between the old town and the Imperial Quarter. The facades of the old low 18th century houses are built of Jaumont limestone. The limestone and sandstone buildings of the German era are higher but the transition is made without detracting from the square. The buildings provide a variety of shapes and volumes that lead smoothly to the new district and the urban project that extends around the train station.