Margarethe Krupp Foundation

Founded in 1906 by Margarethe Krupp, the Margarethe Krupp Foundation has been combining private-sector and communal involvement for more than 100 years: It is an independent property company with around 3,100 flats and more than 60 commercial units on 65 hectares of land in Essen, the so-called Margarethenhöhe. Margarethenhöhe (Margarethe’s Heights), named after its founder, was already considered a prime example of a modern housing estate when it was built between 1909 and 1938. The garden city is a monument of European importance. To this day, the Margarethe Krupp Foundation is the largest housing foundation in Germany.

History of origin

The Krupp company took care of the housing situation of its workers early on. In the 1870s, Alfred Krupp had more and more company flats and company housing estates built. His son Friedrich Alfred continues the social work. After his death in 1902, his daughter Bertha becomes the heir to the Krupp company. As she is still a minor, her mother Margarethe Krupp takes over these duties. Margarethe Krupp acquires an extensive, contiguous site in the south-west of Essen – later known as Margarethenhöhe – and prioritises the continuation of charitable care, despite the temporary fiduciary management of the Group. On 15 October 1906, Bertha Krupp marries the Prussian diplomat Gustav von Bohlen und Halbach. On the occasion of the wedding, Margarethe Krupp makes the northern part of the estate, around 50 hectares, available to the Margarethe Krupp Foundation for Housing Welfare. In addition, she donates one million marks to the ambitious project. The signing of the deed of foundation takes place on 1 December 1906. Construction begins in 1909. Attractive housing conditions, not only for employees and employees of the Krupp Group, are the goal. By 1938, the estate was finally built in 29 construction phases under the direction of architect Georg Metzendorf. Margarethenhöhe, named in gratitude by Essen’s city council after its founder, was one of the first so-called garden cities.

Focal Points

The Margarethe Krupp Foundation is an independent property company that is one of the best-known landlords of Essen. Nowadays, the Margarethe Krupp Foundation manages around 3,100 residential units in 935 houses (including 420 detached houses) and over 60 commercial units (surgeries, restaurants, retail outlets, hotels, nurseries and other businesses) on Margarethenhöhe. Margarethenhöhe is a neighbourhood in the south of Essen, close to the Grugapark.

The Foundation’s current building stock comprises the “Old” Margarethenhöhe, consisting of the listed and near-listed areas, the Lührmannwald as well as the “New” Margarethenhöhe (built 1962-1966, 1971-1980) based on plans by Dr. Wilhelm Seidensticker.

Connection to the Krupp Foundation

The Margarethe Krupp Foundation and the Krupp Foundation are independent foundations that are active in different fields, whose activities are also guided by charitable principles. Due to their historical roots, the two foundations are closely connected with one another and are in constant dialogue with one another. Among other things, the Krupp Foundation delegates five members to the Supervisory Board of the Margarethe Krupp Foundation, which supports, advises and monitors the work of the Executive Board and the development of the company in accordance with the statutes.

Margarethe Krupp Foundation