The latter half of the 19th century was in many ways a response to new challenges introduced during the Biedermeier period. This time period, known as the founders period (Gründerzeit) starts after the 1848 March Revolution in Austria and ends some time in the late 1890s or early 1900s. This period is marked by significant influx in capital, German Unification and an economic boom. Industrialization in the first half of the century had produced a need for both new and better quality housing. In order to combat this problem and help maintain the supply of workers, businessmen like Alfred Krupp (member of the 400 year old German Krupp family known for production of steel, artillery, and armaments) began to build worker housing for employees to live near the company factories. These developments, which emerged during the early 1860s, precipitated a larger and more broad expansion of housing [1]. Over the next few decades, many new 4 to 6 story buildings went up, often financed by wealthy developers. The style of these new homes contrasted the new industrial cities which were characterized by grey, dark and drab buildings . Gründerzeit housing was designed to fulfill the desire for natural beauty in the city and convey a sense of luxury through sandstone facades, intricate designs, and grad staircases [2].
[1]James, H. (2012). Krupp: A History of the Legendary German Firm. Princeton University Press. Retrieved from https://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/j.ctt7rn84.6.pdf?refreqid=excelsior%3A3d3d60e48780885ad39ba61a69d8261d [2]Architectural trend: The Founding Epoch. (2016). Retrieved July 31, 2018, from https://www.engelvoelkers.com/blog/2016/architectural-trend-look-founding-epoch