Haus Huldschinsky

Oscar Huldschinsky. The name resonates with wealth, art, and a touch of tragedy. Here, at Haus Huldschinsky, built in 1908, we stand before a silent witness to a life intertwined with Berlin’s vibrant cultural scene and the dark shadow of World War II. Haus Huldschinsky wasn’t just a grand residence. It was home to Oscar’s son, Paul “Hulle” Huldschinsky, a bohemian spirit with a passion for art. Paul grew up within these walls, at Matthäikirchstraße 3a, surrounded by his father’s impressive art collection. In the 1920s, Paul carved his own path, becoming a renowned interior designer in Berlin and beyond. Haus Huldschinsky nurtured his artistic ambitions, a space where creativity flourished amidst the city’s dynamic energy. But the rise of Nazism cast a pall over Paul’s world. After imprisonment in a concentration camp, he sought refuge in California in late 1938. He found his calling in Hollywood’s film studios, designing sets and earning an Oscar for his work on the film “Gaslight”. Paul Huldschinsky, the boy who grew up at Haus Huldschinsky, became a celebrated figure in Hollywood, even designing the home of renowned German author Thomas Mann. Mann described Paul as “one of the finest, most amiable, and noblest people I have known”. A testament to the spirit that Haus Huldschinsky once held. This building isn’t just brick and mortar. It’s a vessel of memories, a tangible link to a family’s story of artistic passion, persecution, and ultimately, resilience. Haus Huldschinsky stands as a reminder that even in the face of adversity, the human spirit can endure and create beauty.