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Demolition of the Sylvester country house: 150 years of history disappear!
The demolition of the traditional Sylvester country house in Neufolstenhausen marks the end of 150 years of gastronomic history.
Demolition of the Sylvester country house: 150 years of history disappear!
The “Sylvester” country house in Neufolstenhausen, a traditional restaurant with a 150-year history, is being demolished. From today, October 28, 2025, a company from Cloppenburg will be carrying out the work. What was once opened by Diedrich Heynecke in 1876 as the “Zur Recreation” restaurant will now disappear from the map to make room for modern living concepts.
The place has an eventful past behind it. The restaurant originally served as a stop for the Aurich-Wittmund-Esens small train, and Hinni Ippen, who took over the restaurant, expanded it in 1936 to include a large hall with an arcade entrance. The last bowling alley in the Esens area was also located there. After Hinni Ippen's death, his widow Etta took over the fortunes of the house until her son Hinrich took over the helm in the 1930s and made the country house famous for its dance events.
The changing times
During the Second World War, the country house was not only a place for social gatherings, but also served as accommodation and an alternative hospital. After the war, life in the pub flourished again and dance events made for social evenings. In 1983, Hinni Ippen handed the restaurant over to Friedrich Duden, who sold it to Norbert Sylvester in 1986. Sylvester carried out extensive renovations and renamed the restaurant “Landhaus Sylvester” in 1998.
The culinary offering was varied and included German cuisine, from soups to game dishes and pizza. The head chef had a lot of sensitivity and employed up to 14 people. Despite the high quality and commitment of the team, the traditional company ultimately had to close its doors.
New plans for the future
Four apartment buildings are to be built on the 2,000 square meter site of the former country house. This means that a piece of tradition is replaced by modern living space. After a recent changeable course of fortune, a clear new beginning is now in sight. The restructuring in the region offers new opportunities, including as a place to meet and live.
A slightly different issue that affects local gastronomy is the numerous official reviews and recommendations that can now be found on a variety of platforms. Unique accommodations are also very popular in the digital space, for example on Airbnb, which shows how important it is to harmoniously combine tradition and modernity.
While the last lights go out in the “Sylvester” country house, the memory of the happy celebrations and convivial evenings remains alive. It remains to be hoped that new residential projects in the region will also enrich housing and life in a special way.