Tucked away in Hamburg-Osdorf, stands Hof Behrmann. It whispers tales of a bygone era. Hof Behrmann patiently awaits, ready to share its stories with those who pause to listen. This former farmhouse, located at the corner of Osdorfer Landstraße and Rugenbarg, has witnessed centuries of change.
Hof Behrmann’s story begins in 1684. The Osdorf land register first mentions it as an independent farm. Before that, the land belonged to the Langelo farm. Over the years, ownership passed through different families. Then in 1721, Cord Behrmann took over the farm. It has remained in the Behrmann family ever since. The original farmhouse stood parallel to Rugenbarg street. After its demolition, some materials were used to expand the existing barn house. This barn house, with its thatched roof, is the structure we see today at Hof Behrmann. Hinrich Behrmann, who took over the farm in 1847, built it in 1866. An extension followed in 1911. Another house, associated with the farm, was built in 1912 at Osdorfer Landstraße 208.
Hof Behrmann wasn’t the only Behrmann property in the area. In 1843, Franz Hinrich and Margarethe Behrmann built a retirement cottage nearby at Osdorfer Landstraße 214/216. It was a passage house with half-timbering and a thatched roof. It even featured an elaborately tiled living room. The street-facing side was later converted into two shops with display windows, a toy shop and a bakery. Sadly, this charming cottage met a tragic end. It burned down on New Year’s Eve 1983/84 and had to be demolished. A modern flat building now stands in its place. This building has housed various businesses over the years.
Heinrich Behrmann, who inherited Hof Behrmann in 1913, continued the farm’s traditions. He raised livestock and cultivated grain. However, changes were coming. In 1935, part of the farm’s land had to be ceded for the construction of the Generalleutnant-Graf-von-Baudissin barracks. Further land losses followed in 1966 and 1970. This was due to the development of the large Osdorfer Born housing estate. The farm eventually relocated. It moved to Am Osdorfer Born street in the Osdorfer Feldmark. After years of cattle and horse breeding, it now focuses on landscape conservation through haymaking. Hof Behrmann itself transitioned into a restaurant. For over 20 years, it has housed a Chinese restaurant. The 1911 annex once held a Lidl branch. Now, a wine shop with a shop-in-shop post office occupies the space.
Today, Hof Behrmann stands as a protected monument. It is a testament to the enduring legacy of the Behrmann family. It serves as a reminder of Osdorf’s agricultural past. The thatched roof, a distinctive feature of the region, adds to its historical charm. Hof Behrmann invites us to reflect on how times have changed. It allows us to appreciate the rich tapestry of Hamburg’s history.