In the heart of Berlin, the Alexanderhaus stands as a silent witness to the city’s tumultuous past. The Alexanderhaus and its twin, the Berolinahaus, were born from the ashes of World War I. They were designed by renowned architect Peter Behrens. The buildings emerged between 1929 and 1932. They showcase the sleek lines of the “Neues Sachlichkeit” or New Objectivity style. This architectural movement swept through Germany in the 1920s. The Alexanderhaus was intended to be part of a grand plan to modernize Alexanderplatz. The Great Depression and the rise of the Nazi party brought the larger project to a standstill. Only the Alexanderhaus and Berolinahaus were completed. These twin structures became anchors in a square yearning for transformation. Originally, the Alexanderhaus housed offices and shops, much like it does today. It endured direct hits during Allied bombings in World War II. Its sturdy construction allowed it to survive. The Alexanderhaus stands as one of the few pre-war buildings in Alexanderplatz to withstand the devastation. The square around it was almost completely destroyed. After the war, Alexanderplatz found itself in East Berlin. The East German government rebuilt the area as a showcase for the communist world. However, the Alexanderhaus remained, a link to a pre-war Berlin. The Alexanderhaus whispers tales of resilience. It reflects the enduring spirit of a city constantly reinventing itself.
Genossenschaft PA58
From 1981 the Genossenschaft PA58 stands tall. It’s a self-managed house project. This is its story. This impressive building in