Kathreiner-Haus

Built between 1928 and 1930, the Kathreiner-Haus stands as a testament to Berlin’s rich architectural history. This striking building, with its unique H-shape, was designed by Bruno Paul in the New Objectivity style. It was originally commissioned by the Kathreiner Malzkaffee-Fabrik GmbH. The Kathreiner-Haus served as their administrative headquarters. Its design incorporated three wings. Two six-story wings run parallel to Potsdamer Straße, respecting the height of neighboring buildings. These wings are connected by a twelve-story transverse section. This gives the Kathreiner-Haus its distinctive H-form. The facade is clad in Thuringian travertine, while the reveals of the horizontal window rows feature Roman travertine. The Kathreiner-Haus boasts a built-up area of 1225 square meters and rises 46 meters to the roof. It offers a usable area of 9500 square meters. After World War II, the Kathreiner-Haus served various purposes. It housed the BVG (Berlin’s public transport company) and later, several governmental departments, including the police and the Office for the Protection of the Constitution. The building has stood largely vacant since 2008. It currently belongs to the State of Berlin. A major renovation is planned to adapt the Kathreiner-Haus for use by the Berlin Administrative Court. This move will consolidate the court’s operations, currently split between two locations. The project has faced delays due to the building’s protected status. The Berlin State Monuments Office has strict requirements for the renovation. This includes preserving original features like glass skylights, glass bricks, and ceramic tiles. These preservation efforts contribute to both the cost and complexity of the project. Additional challenges include the thin walls, requiring improved soundproofing for court proceedings, and the wooden flooring from the sixth floor upwards, which no longer meets fire safety regulations. The renovation is expected to be completed by 2030, marking the building’s centennial. The Kathreiner-Haus and the neighboring administrative building at Potsdamer Straße 188-192 frame the baroque King’s Colonnades, which serve as an entrance to Heinrich-von-Kleist-Park. This juxtaposition of architectural styles creates a unique visual experience.