After nearly 250 years of utilisation the first Gewandhaus was torn down and from 1740 to 1744 replaced by the municipal library, which was erected in baroque manner and again hosted an armory (in its east wing). Many parts can still be recognised in today's building. In 1780/1781 the armory was reconstructed into a concert hall, which was the first permanent home of the Gewandhaus orchestra (Germany's oldest civic orchestra, as opposed to one under royal or aristocratic patronage).
For nearly two and a half centuries, the first Gewandhaus served as a venue. It was subsequently demolished in 1740-1744 to make way for a municipal library designed in the baroque style, which also included an armory (in its eastern wing). Some elements of today's building can still be traced back to this period. In 1780/1781, the armory was converted into a concert hall that became the Gewandhaus orchestra's first permanent home.