Ercklentz House um 1965

This elegant three-storey townhouse dates to the 18th century and was originally created by merging two smaller, modest dwellings. It was built by cloth merchant Gerhard Arnold Mühlen, who, in 1778, founded a charitable trust known locally as Der ewige Pott ("The Eternal Pot"), dedicated to supporting the poor and needy of Kempen.

A later owner, Peter Anton Thissen – mayor during the French administration from 1808 to 1811 – undertook extensive renovations. The impressive Empire-style design of the ground floor still reflects his influence. Further alterations were carried out in the 19th century, including the addition of the decorative stucco façade.

It is possible that Thissen had the original Rococo building completely rebuilt, though certain architectural features were preserved, such as the symmetrical five-bay façade and the proportionally diminishing window heights on the upper floors.

In the 19th century, the property came into the hands of the Ercklentz family, whose name the house retains to this day.

Other houses in Kempen from the same period, such as Judenstraße 5 and Peterstraße 14 and 30, follow a similar architectural layout.