#Multifunctional building #Berlin #Germany #1929
Bürohaus am Alexanderplatz GmbH
Alexanderplatz 1, 2
10178
Berlin,
Germany
Public transport: Alexanderplatz
Access: Public building, free entry during working hours
Today's use: multifunctional
Description
The two buildings possess several remarkable urbanistic qualities. They are the only structures realised from the 1928 redevelopment plan for Alexanderplatz and the only ones on the square to survive the destruction of the Second World War. From an urban planning perspective, they are also significant because they form a symbolic gateway from Berlin’s historic centre to the eastern part of the city, echoing the idea of a medieval city gate in a distinctly modern manner. This gateway effect is further enhanced by the illuminated bands on the narrow sides of both buildings.
In each case, the fundamental modernist principle of avoiding a traditional ‘front’ and ‘back’ has been fully achieved. Whichever direction one approaches from, the buildings present a complete and carefully composed façade, never a mere rear elevation.
The Berolinahaus is also closely linked to the development of Berlin’s transport system. An entrance to the Alexanderplatz underground station was incorporated into its basement, as the construction of the station formed part of the wider redevelopment of the square.
The steel-frame construction allowed the internal layout to be arranged freely according to functional requirements, as no interior walls were load-bearing. The ground floor was given particular emphasis through a continuous band of large display windows intended for shops and public uses, and the roofs were originally conceived as terraces.
The façades, originally clad in shell limestone, were destroyed by wartime devastation and fire. After the war, a concrete mixture closely resembling shell limestone was used instead. It was only during the renovation carried out between 1992 and 1995 that comparable shell limestone cladding was reapplied.
Description
The two buildings possess several remarkable urbanistic qualities. They are the only structures realised from the 1928 redevelopment plan for Alexanderplatz and the only ones on the square to survive the destruction of the Second World War. From an urban planning perspective, they are also significant because they form a symbolic gateway from Berlin’s historic centre to the eastern part of the city, echoing the idea of a medieval city gate in a distinctly modern manner. This gateway effect is further enhanced by the illuminated bands on the narrow sides of both buildings.
In each case, the fundamental modernist principle of avoiding a traditional ‘front’ and ‘back’ has been fully achieved. Whichever direction one approaches from, the buildings present a complete and carefully composed façade, never a mere rear elevation.
The Berolinahaus is also closely linked to the development of Berlin’s transport system. An entrance to the Alexanderplatz underground station was incorporated into its basement, as the construction of the station formed part of the wider redevelopment of the square.
The steel-frame construction allowed the internal layout to be arranged freely according to functional requirements, as no interior walls were load-bearing. The ground floor was given particular emphasis through a continuous band of large display windows intended for shops and public uses, and the roofs were originally conceived as terraces.
The façades, originally clad in shell limestone, were destroyed by wartime devastation and fire. After the war, a concrete mixture closely resembling shell limestone was used instead. It was only during the renovation carried out between 1992 and 1995 that comparable shell limestone cladding was reapplied.
History
In the late 1920s, Berlin set out to transform Alexanderplatz into a modern city centre. Planning began in 1928, and in 1929 construction started on the Berolinahaus, followed soon afterwards by the Alexanderhaus. At that time, the square was much smaller than it is today; several existing buildings, including a block of flats and a theatre, were demolished to make way for the new development.
When the Alexanderhaus was completed in 1932, the two buildings were intended to mark the beginning of a complete redesign of Alexanderplatz. However, the Great Depression abruptly halted further plans, and after 1933 the architectural priorities of the Nazi government shifted in a different direction. Interestingly, the buildings were never intended to be permanent: the concession agreement with the city of Berlin expired in 1955, at which point the structures were originally scheduled to be demolished.
The Second World War left much of Alexanderplatz in ruins. From 1950 onwards, the GDR rebuilt the area as the new centre of East Berlin, replacing nearly all pre-war buildings with modern construction. Only the Berolinahaus and Alexanderhaus survived. Although the Alexanderhaus was struck by a bomb, its structure remained sound enough to be repaired, allowing both buildings to become the oldest surviving architectural features on the square.
After the war, the buildings were assigned new uses. The interior of the Alexanderhaus was completely redesigned and at various times housed a department store, a bookshop, and later a furniture shop. The Berolinahaus, meanwhile, became home to the Berlin city administration. In 1975, exactly twenty years after their planned demolition date, both buildings were officially designated listed monuments.
Following German reunification in 1990, ownership of the Alexanderhaus and Berolinahaus was returned to the Sparkasse and Landesbank, which had owned them until 1949. The Berolinahaus was renovated later and today accommodates a modern department store.
History
In the late 1920s, Berlin set out to transform Alexanderplatz into a modern city centre. Planning began in 1928, and in 1929 construction started on the Berolinahaus, followed soon afterwards by the Alexanderhaus. At that time, the square was much smaller than it is today; several existing buildings, including a block of flats and a theatre, were demolished to make way for the new development.
When the Alexanderhaus was completed in 1932, the two buildings were intended to mark the beginning of a complete redesign of Alexanderplatz. However, the Great Depression abruptly halted further plans, and after 1933 the architectural priorities of the Nazi government shifted in a different direction. Interestingly, the buildings were never intended to be permanent: the concession agreement with the city of Berlin expired in 1955, at which point the structures were originally scheduled to be demolished.
The Second World War left much of Alexanderplatz in ruins. From 1950 onwards, the GDR rebuilt the area as the new centre of East Berlin, replacing nearly all pre-war buildings with modern construction. Only the Berolinahaus and Alexanderhaus survived. Although the Alexanderhaus was struck by a bomb, its structure remained sound enough to be repaired, allowing both buildings to become the oldest surviving architectural features on the square.
After the war, the buildings were assigned new uses. The interior of the Alexanderhaus was completely redesigned and at various times housed a department store, a bookshop, and later a furniture shop. The Berolinahaus, meanwhile, became home to the Berlin city administration. In 1975, exactly twenty years after their planned demolition date, both buildings were officially designated listed monuments.
Following German reunification in 1990, ownership of the Alexanderhaus and Berolinahaus was returned to the Sparkasse and Landesbank, which had owned them until 1949. The Berolinahaus was renovated later and today accommodates a modern department store.
Sources
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