The Marstall building at Welfengarten 1A is part of TIB – Leibniz Information Centre for Science and Technology and University Library, and is listed as a historic monument. It was built to house horses and carriages of the King of Hanover during the construction of the Welfenschloss in the mid-1860s. Following Hannover’s annexation by Prussia in 1866, the four-wing Marstall building was initially used as a stable by the Prussian army. In 1913, the back of the building was demolished to make room for new university buildings, such as the heating and power station or the mechanical engineering laboratory.
The existing premises housed the Institute of Motor Vehicles, the Motor Vehicle Laboratory, as well as the cafeteria.
The cafeteria wing was demolished in 1960 to make room for the nearby university library. The remaining part, which now appears asymmetrical, fell into disrepair. The Marstall building was gradually restored since the early 1980s. It is now available for library purposes. Administrative offices are located in the portal wing. The former stable with its vaulted hall has been largely restored to its original state and now houses the patents and standards reading room. A glazed staircase added on the east side expanded the possibilities for using the Marstall building.
