House Balchem is a citizen house that dates back to the Middle Ages and was later rebuilt in the Baroque period. It was built by the beer brewer and councillor Heinrich Deutz in 1676. In the Severinsviertel it is the only surviving baroque house, it is popularly called "Em Balge"
The house has a varied history behind it: originally a forge, later a brewery, then an inn and today a library. The final name was given by the meanwhile owner Johann Balchem, who came from a long-established brewing family.
In the Middle Ages it was a forge. On the “Mercatorplan” 1587 you can see that from here you had an unobstructed view to the Rhine. This view was decisive for the councillor and master brewer Heinrich Deutz to build a magnificent brewing house in the middle of the 17th century.
According to legend, Deutz wanted to own a house from which he could look up to the Rhine to observe the merchant ships. So that he could enjoy the view, he overruled the then building rules and built a bay over the entrance. Actually, this was only due to noble people.
The Brauhaus with the associated guest room was a meeting place for councillors and guildmasters. The heirs continued the inn under a different name. Several times the owner changed, in the 19th century the name-giving Johann Balchem took over.
The house was destroyed in the Second World War, only the facade could be saved. During the restoration after the war, the burnt interior was replaced by preserved pieces from old townhouses, for example an extraordinary beam ceiling and a spiral staircase that today leads to Deutz’ beloved bay.
Until 1970, the guest house “Zum Golden Lion” was still housed here. Then the listed house became the property of the city and was elaborately restored. After completion of the construction work, the municipal library moved to the former inn. The upper floors were to become an apprentice dormitory, but to this day these rooms are unused.
From 2013 to 2017, the house was closed for renovation. Now the library has a modern technical equipment and a STEM focus (mathematics, computer science, science, technology).
The building has been listed since 1 July 1980.
Sources:
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haus_Balchem https://www.meinesuedstadt.de/ein-bisschen-suedstadtgeschichte-das-haus-balchem/