Dear Ms. Schiller, if the walls of the LAURUShaus could speak, what would they tell us about their history? We know that the building was originally a medieval tithe barn. What exactly is a tithe barn?
If the walls of the LAURUShaus could speak, they would probably begin with a deep, dusty sigh. Its story did not start with glittering celebrations, but in a very down-to-earth way—as a tithe barn. This was where farmers from the surrounding area delivered the so-called tithe, meaning one tenth of their harvest. The barn served as a central collection point for these natural taxes, which were later passed on to the respective local rulers.
But how did the name Laurus come about?
It marks the moment when the building was given a new soul. Laurus is Latin for laurel and symbolizes a botanical passion that runs like a red thread through the family’s history.
<br After its time as a barn, today’s deluxe event location in Essen was transformed into a greenhouse—and its evolution was truly impressive. What began as a place to protect simple kitchen herbs soon expanded into an exotic collection. Mediterranean delicacies such as figs and citrus fruits were cultivated here, as well as the namesake laurel, Laurus nobilis. At the height of this era, even orchids found a home within these walls.
This passion for the world of plants lives on to this day. Passed down through generations, it is now carried forward with great dedication by Maximilian Freiherr von Fürstenberg. The LAURUShaus is therefore far more than just an event location. It is a place where the grounded history of the former barn meets the elegance of a long-standing botanical tradition. The laurel, in this context, symbolizes permanence and provides a dignified setting for the special moments shared by our guests.
What gives this location its special appeal? And why is it equally well suited for private celebrations as well as business events?
The special appeal of the LAURUShaus lies above all in its atmosphere. It is not a conventional event venue, but rather feels like a private retreat. This very sense of intimacy and seclusion is what makes the location so attractive for both private celebrations and professional formats.
If I am interested in hosting an event at the LAURUShaus, how does the process work? Who should I contact, and what options are available when designing the event?
The LAURUShaus can be booked upon request through our dedicated contacts in the banquet sales team. They will support you with expert advice and work closely with you to tailor the desired event format to your individual wishes.
How many guests can the LAURUShaus accommodate?
In terms of capacity, the house offers a variety of possibilities: In its heart, the so-called living room, a long table can accommodate up to 30 guests; with individual tables, space is available for up to approximately 35 guests. Our light-filled conservatory also accommodates up to 12 guests.
A wonderful example of this versatility was the Michelin-starred restaurant Hannappel, which bridged its renovation phase with a pop-up concept at the LAURUShaus—a classic win-win situation. Beyond gastronomy, however, we are open to any beautiful idea: from jewelry presentations to small fashion labels wishing to use the house as a stylish showroom.
In short: we provide the stage for exclusive concepts seeking a private and truly exceptional atmosphere.
You also offer the LAURUShaus as a pop-up location. What can our readers imagine by that?
The LAURUShaus has a special culinary history—until 2020, our Michelin-starred restaurant was located here. Today, we use this exclusive setting as a pop-up location, offering creative minds the opportunity to bring their concepts to life in our spaces for a limited time.
During the summer months, the BLUMENBAR Café welcomes guests to the LAURUShaus. When does it open this year, and what can visitors look forward to?
This will be a truly special highlight! Together with BLUMENBAR, a young and creative florist from Essen, we are transforming the LAURUShaus into a blooming café. The garden and the house will be lavishly decorated with beautiful plants and flowers that guests can not only admire on site, but also purchase directly.
The experience will be complemented by a culinary offering of homemade cakes and refined creations from our in-house patisserie. To set the perfect atmosphere, evening events with DJ accompaniment are also in the works.
While an exact opening date has not yet been set, we are planning a six- to eight-week period in high summer, allowing our guests to enjoy the garden at its most splendid. Stay tuned—we’ll keep you updated through our channels!
