Remember the year 1913 as we stand before the Marmorhaus. This building wasn’t always a retail space. It was once Berlin’s oldest cinema on Kurfürstendamm. The Marmorhaus translates to Marble House because of its marble facade.
Architect Hugo Pál designed this building in 1912 and 1913. The facade was a grand statement stretching five stories high. César Klein, an expressionist artist, designed the foyer and auditorium’s murals. Klein also created the colorful glass ceiling in the foyer, which Puhl & Wagner of Berlin-Neukölln executed.
The Marmorhaus opened on May 9, 1913. Walter Schmidthässler’s film “Das goldene Bett” premiered here. It was a grand affair.
In 1975, UFA renovated the Marmorhaus. Besides the large hall with a balcony, four smaller cinemas were added. The Marmorhaus gained a legendary reputation in the 1980s. This was due to its “Long Film Nights”. For one price, you could watch twelve films in four cinemas.
A complete renovation took place in 1997. However, it couldn’t stop the decline in viewers. More and more multiplex cinemas were opening. Volker Riech, the UFA chief, decided to sell the property. Only three years after the renovation, it seemed more attractive.
In 2001, the Marmorhaus closed its doors as a cinema. It was the oldest cinema on Kurfürstendamm.
In July 2010, the property was sold for over 40 million euros. An Irish investment company previously owned the Marmorhaus.
For 17 years, Zara, a Spanish fashion chain, occupied the building. They moved out in March 2019. Since June 2020, Muji, a Japanese lifestyle chain, has operated a store here.
The Marmorhaus played a significant role in cinema history. During the silent film era, it hosted many premieres. “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari” premiered here.
Imagine the glamour of those early film nights. The Marmorhaus was more than just a cinema. It was a cultural hub. Now, picture the foyer filled with art nouveau design. Envision the colorful light filtering through the glass ceiling.
Today, as a retail space, the Marmorhaus still stands. It is a reminder of Berlin’s vibrant past. Next time you shop here, remember its cinematic history. The marble facade whispers stories of film premieres and golden ages.