“I have a surprise for you.” J.P. (my German husband) mysteriously announced while driving on the A7 back from Austria. “Is it a castle?” I excitedly asked as my eyes grew larger, hoping to add another castle to my ever growing list. “No, it’s even better” he replied. “What could be better than a castle?” I inquired in disbelief. “A service station,” he triumphantly declared. Perhaps this was why they say Germany is the least funniest country in the world. I was not amused.
What he failed to mention was that this wasn’t just any service station, this piece of German architecture was Germany’s only art service station located on the A7 between Ulm and Memmingen. Interestingly, this unique, three-story creation with no corners was not designed by a German architect, nor by a Spanish one as apartments in Seville are, but by Austrian Herbert Maierhofer, who was influenced by the earlier designs of Austrian art restaurants. I didn’t find this out until much later though as J.P. insisted the Illertal Ost Rest Haus was designed by a German.
The risky investment for this unique piece of German architecture turned out rather well though – within the first year of reopening the 212 seat self service restaurant generated 5.3 million DM in net sales (~€2.7 million). I think it’s safe to say that the initial investment has long been paid off.
The Illertal Ost Rest Haus can be found in southern Germany en route to Austria on the A7 at 88451 Dettingen an der Iller.
