Imagine stepping back to the late 18th century. Here, before us, stands the Landhaus J. C. Godeffroy. It is an emblem of elegance and historical significance. This classicist country house whispers tales of a bygone era. Designed by architect Christian Frederik Hansen, the Landhaus J. C. Godeffroy is also known as Hirschparkhaus.
In 1786, Johan Cesar Godeffroy acquired the largest estate in this area. Following the death of its previous owner, Berend Johann Rodde, he purchased it. Johan then commissioned Christian Frederik Hansen. Hansen was the master builder for Holstein and Altona/Elbe. In 1789, Hansen began constructing this country house or summer residence. The building took approximately three years to complete.
Notice the villa’s structure. It features a two-story central building with five axes. Two single-story side wings each have three axes. The entrance faces north framed by two grand sandstone pillars. Look closely at the inscription above the door. It reads “Der Ruhe weisem Genuss” which means “To wise enjoyment of peace”. This welcoming phrase is believed to be written by Danish theologian Peter Christian Steenvinkel.
Hansen’s work here was groundbreaking. His design for the Landhaus J. C. Godeffroy influenced the Elbchaussee’s urban development. Johan Cesar’s brother, Peter Godeffroy, commissioned Hansen to design the nearby Landhaus P. Godeffroy, known as the White House. Both country houses share similar layouts. They feature a garden hall facing the Elbe, complete with a columned loggia. The Landhaus J. C. Godeffroy’s semicircle design echoes Hansen’s teacher Nicolas-Henri Jardin. It also reminds of Caspar Frederik Harsdorff. The Landhaus’s rectangular shapes reflect the style of revolutionary architects Claude-Nicolas Ledoux and François-Joseph Bélanger.
Observe the details. Sandstone frames the windows and triangular gables on the ground floor. Inside, the opulent materials continue. Stucco work adorns the hallway and dining room in the west wing. Floral tendrils and putti reliefs decorate these spaces. The garden hall’s stucco, renovated in 1856, lacks the original’s finesse. The southern orientation offers expansive views of the Elbe. This view was prioritized over the park. Around 1800, a thatched Cavalier house was added. Details about its original furnishings remain unknown. In 1856, Ludwig Piglhein, a renowned furniture maker and interior designer from Hamburg, redecorated the Landhaus J. C. Godeffroy.
For about a century, three generations of the Johan Cesar Godeffroy family inhabited the Landhaus J. C. Godeffroy during summer. From 1880 onward, it became a year-round residence. Johan Cesar Godeffroy died here on July 3, 1845. His son, Cesar Godeffroy, passed away here on February 9, 1885.
In 1835, Johan Cesar Godeffroy commissioned Hamburg architect Alexis de Chateauneuf. He built a garden house for 3,300 Mark Banco. Johan Cesar Godeffroy’s park was occasionally open to the public. The park’s longitudinal axis runs parallel to Elbchaussee. It was defined by a four-row linden avenue. This avenue dates back to 1620 from the time of previous owner A. Oldehorst.
In 1890, the merchant Ernst August Wriedt purchased the house and park. In 1924, the municipality of Blankenese acquired the property. Later, in 1938, under the Greater Hamburg Act, it transferred to Hamburg. Since 1924, the Hirschpark has been fully accessible to the public. Today, a ballet school occupies the Landhaus J. C. Godeffroy’s rooms. The building continues to serve the community. It is a testament to Hamburg’s rich history. The Landhaus J. C. Godeffroy stands as a reminder of the Godeffroy family’s legacy. It also highlights Christian Frederik Hansen’s architectural genius.