Do you see those houses? They represent more than just brick and mortar. These are remnants of the Arbeiter-Kolonie des Militär-Fiskus & Arbeitersiedlung Haselhorst. This was a pioneering housing project. It addressed the needs of workers in the late 19th century.
The Arbeiter-Kolonie des Militär-Fiskus & Arbeitersiedlung Haselhorst offers a glimpse into Berlin’s industrial past. We are standing at a site of significant social and architectural importance.
Back in the late 1890s Berlin was booming. Factories sprang up everywhere. The population swelled. Housing became a critical issue. The military administration decided to act. They established the Arbeiter-Kolonie des Militär-Fiskus & Arbeitersiedlung Haselhorst. It provided accommodation for its workers.
Construction began in 1895. It continued into the early 1900s. Initially the settlement consisted of one to four-family houses. Later multi-family buildings with up to ten units were added.
The Prussian military administration showcased one of these houses at the 1900 Paris World Exhibition. It won an award. By 1907 the Arbeiter-Kolonie des Militär-Fiskus & Arbeitersiedlung Haselhorst had 51 houses. These housed around 1600 people in 363 apartments. Plans for expansion stalled.
These houses were designed to offer decent living conditions. They were meant for workers and their families. The Arbeiter-Kolonie des Militär-Fiskus & Arbeitersiedlung Haselhorst represents an early form of social housing.
The Gutsbezirk Haselhorst was incorporated into the city of Spandau in 1910. It became part of Greater Berlin in 1920.
In 1934 some of the original houses of the Arbeiter-Kolonie des Militär-Fiskus und Arbeitersiedlung Haselhorst were torn down. This happened to make way for two-story buildings with shops. This was to extend the shopping area from the nearby Reichsforschungssiedlung.
Unfortunately much of the original Arbeiter-Kolonie des Militär-Fiskus & Arbeitersiedlung Haselhorst was lost. It was demolished in the 1960s to make way for new buildings. By 1976 only eight houses remained. Some of these historic houses still stand. They are protected as historical monuments.
The remaining houses remind us of the social challenges of the industrial era. They highlight innovative solutions to housing shortages. They also remind us of early urban planning efforts.
Today the Arbeiter-Kolonie des Militär-Fiskus & Arbeitersiedlung Haselhorst serves as a reminder. It is a reminder of Berlin’s past. It illustrates the city’s ongoing efforts to balance progress with preservation. It shows how important it is to remember our history. Even in the face of modernization.