The beginnings of the 19th century
Ambrosius Hugger, German brewer from Schwarzwald opens his first brewery in Poznań, at Wroniecka street. As brewing beer was becoming more and more profitable at the time, the family decided to open another brewery in 1849 – this time at St. Wojciech street.
It was the time of breakthroughs in brewing business – production became automatic and steam machines and electric lighting started to be used. With the beginning of an era of industrial breweries, small businesses were gradually becoming a thing of the past. Ambrosius Hugger’s sons, Julius and Alfons, contrary to their father, were investing on a larger scale and built the famous Hugger Breweries.
1876
The Hugger brothers buy a cooling house, two dwelling houses and a backhouse located at the corner of Półwiejska and a street stretching from Wilda Gate, along municipal fortifications next to Grolman Fort.
1890
Brew house, Maltings and Drying house with its characteristic chimney are built at the time of Hugger Brewery’s extension. The Brewery’s architecture is in accordance with the arcadian style (rundbogenstil) that was typical of industrial architecture of the time, with elevations made of facing red brick, semicircular windows and simple brick decorations.
1895 - 1921
As the Huggers’ company becomes more and more prosperous, the Brewery is transformed into a joint-stock company. A new office building, cooper workshops and a new chimney are built around the Courtyard. In 1918 the Brewery produces almost 72 000 hectolitres of beer of three brands: Cristal (light Plzeň style beer), Special (dark Munich style) and Porter.
The 20s and 30s
Around 1926 the Brewery is taken over by the Chemical Concern of dr Roman May, and in 1937 by the Union Brewery of Restaurateurs Union (a company of 82 shareholders).
II World War
In September 1939 the Brewery falls under German management and the production of beer lasts until 1944 when Germans transform the cellars and vaults of the Brewery into bunkers and shelters. The Brewery gets vastly destroyed during the battles of Poznań.
After the II World War
After the II World War the Brewery is taken over by the Brewing Companion and the company is nationalised.
1980
After the Brewery is closed its buildings gradually deteriorate. A small company producing fizzy water functions there until 1997, however no renovation works are carried out.
December 1998
A company called Fortis „Nowy Stary Browar” owned by Grażyna Kulczyk buys real estate at Półwiejska street from brewing company Lech Browary Wielkopolskie. After acquiring adjacent estate from Military Property Agency and private entities, Fortis begins works on a project called Business and Art Centre 50 50. The investment is due to be finished at the end of 2003.
1999 - 2002
The area is cleared and made available to theatres. Shakespeare’s “Coriolanus”, Bizet’s “Carmen”, Verdi’s “Macbeth” and “Rigoletto” are subsequently staged. Unique atmosphere of the place makes the performances highly successful and thanks to a live broadcast on TVP Channel 2, “Macbeth” can be viewed all across Poland.
2002
The first construction phase of Business and Art Centre Stary Browar begins.
November 5, 2003
Atrium Wing with more than a hundred stores, restaurants and office space is opened. Stary Browar is among 20 buildings constructed after 1989 that join the famous exhibition “Poland. Architectural icons”.
April 29, 2004
Courtyard of Art is opened. The event is accompanied by the exhibition of works by world-class Italian designer and architect Alessandro Mendini.
December 9, 2005
After winning the title of the best shopping centre in Europe, Stary Browar is chosen by the International Council of Shopping Centres (ICSC) the best shopping centre in the world. Jury of this prestigious competition appreciated not only the architecture of buildings but, most importantly, the unique combination of cultural and commercial activities undertaken there.
March 11, 2007
The second wing of Stary Browar, Passage is opened.
April and December 2008
Stary Browar is once again chosen the best shopping centre by the International Council of Shopping Centres, first in Europe, then in the world – this time in a different category: Extension
January 2009
Art & Fashion Festival organised annually by Stary Browar is awarded the title of Fashion Excellence 2008 in the category ‘The most important Fashion Event’ by “Twój Styl” magazine, and a year later – the title of Fashion Excellence 2009 in the category ‘Excellent Education’, created specifically for the event.