Two winged lions used to be seen at the distillery building on the site of the municipal gas factory. They will be relocated after the summer. Together with Stadsbeheer, architect Moriko Kira and the residents of the Ebbingehof, we ensured that the hard stone shoulder pieces are replaced where the distillery building used to be. The Ebbingehof apartment complex was recently built exactly on this location. The lions will mark the front entrance of the building.
Storage
Two supporting figures were placed under the gutter on both end facades of the distillery building. In 1969 the building was demolished. The two winged lions were stored on the CiBoGa site and later moved to the municipal storage. Waiting for a good moment to be shown again. The construction of the Ebbingehof created a great opportunity. Those directly involved also agreed to incorporate the old elements into the new building.
Relocation
Projectmanager Diana Lourens from Kunstpunt explains: “Together with Stadsbeheer, the architect and residents, we looked at what the work needs to be relocated. We met a number of times to fine-tune, determine color and material. We want to make sure that the work comes into its own as well as possible.” The intention is to let the winged lions shine in a new jacket at the end of this year at their old location.
Do you know the maker?
Research in the Groninger Archives has shown that the distillery building was completed in 1909. The work was carried out by the Groningen contractor Lubbe Oldenburger with the Groningers Roelf Jansen and Melle Pehlig as co-contractors. However, the maker of the winged lions is unknown. That is why we call on anyone with leads to contact the maker. This can be done by sending an email to info@kunstpuntgroningen.nl.