The Kornhaus in Berne was built between 1711 and 1718. It is counted among the major works of Bernese High Baroque. The three upper floors were used as a granary, while the great space on the ground floor served as a market hall on market day and the cellar housed barrels filled with tithed and domain wines. "Venice sits on water, but Berne sits on wine" was a saying from this time.

At the beginning of the 19th century, the situation changed dramatically. Berne lost the lucrative administrative territories. The supply of food provisions was largely privatized and the system of wages in kind for public officials - in the form of wood, grain, and wine - was subsequently abolished. Grain storage facilities lost their proper function.

After a period of diverse usage, the Kornhauskeller was leased as an ale house. Innkeepers served up cheese and sausages on long tables and passed around wine from the vast barrels standing along the side walls.

The agricultural economy continued to slide. And so it was that in 1893, architect Friedrich Schneider was given the job of redesigning the high vaulted space into a venue where festivities could be held. He installed the wooden galleries, opened up the cellar with an impressive set of stairs. Prompted by the painter, heraldist, and municipal councilman Rudolf Münger (1862-1929), the city building administration announced a competition in 1897 aimed at providing the cellar with more colorful painted decoration. Münger submitted a proposal and received the commission.

In 1998, the city began searching for a leaseholder with innovative ideas who could bring new life to the Kornhauskeller. They decided on the BINDELLA companies.