The "Historische Kaufhaus" (Historical Merchant House) was built by Lienhart Müller between 1520 and 1532. It served as the administrative headquarters for Freiburg's market, customs, and finance offices. At this time, trade was growing rapidly in the city and the duties paid by the merchants who passed through Freiburg was an ever increasing source of income. Additionally, the merchant house provided a place to store goods.

Sixt von Staufen designed the coat of arms and decorative figures on the main facade in honor of the House of Habsburg. Freiburg was under its protection at the time.

Today the building's Kaiser Room, (named after Kaiser Wilhelm I of Prussia in the second half of the 19th century) is used mostly for classical music concerts and receptions.

The house's truly beautiful inner courtyard and four large arcades facing the Cathedral Square are especially worth noting.

Over the years, the Historische Kaufhaus has been renovated and restored several times.

However, it survived both world wars almost undamaged. History has it that on the night of the city's bombing in World War II (1944), the landlord from the next door Weinbstube saved the Kaufhaus in an unusual manner. Karl Oberkirch extinguished the flying sparks of a fire by dousing them with his wine. The Gasthaus Oberkirch (hotel and restaurant) is still standing today.