Haus Sommer

Amidst the grand structures of Berlin’s Mitte district, stands Haus Sommer. It’s an elegant building quietly observing the bustling city life from its spot at Dorotheenstraße 99. Haus Sommer has a fascinating history, deeply intertwined with the development of Berlin. The story of Haus Sommer begins in the mid-19th century. Franz Ludwig Sommer, a master carpenter and son of city councilor Carl August Sommer, commissioned the architect Friedrich Adler to build three houses. These houses were part of the westward extension of Dorotheenstraße, on the north side of Pariser Platz. Construction took place between 1854 and 1857. Of the three houses, only one survived the devastation of World War II. This survivor is the very building we now know as Haus Sommer. Originally bearing the address Dorotheenstraße 54, its number changed over the years to 44, then Clara-Zetkin-Straße 105, before finally settling at its current address, Dorotheenstraße 99. Haus Sommer has seen numerous owners and several renovations. Around 1890, the building underwent its first major transformation. In 1910, the Deutsche Hypothekenbank AG acquired the property and commissioned another renovation, this time under the guidance of architect Paul Schroeder. Further modifications took place in 1950. A significant restoration and expansion occurred between 1997 and 2000. This restoration integrated Haus Sommer into the newly constructed Jakob-Kaiser-Haus, a building complex of the German Bundestag. Haus Sommer isn’t just a beautiful building. It stands as a testament to resilience, surviving war and changing times. Today, it plays an important role as part of the German parliament. Its history reminds us of the enduring spirit of Berlin and its ability to adapt and rebuild.