Known for its unique architecture the ECO-Haus stands before you. This seven-story building at Kurfürstendamm 64-65 has a rich history. It is more than just an office space. The ECO-Haus is a testament to Berlin’s post-war reconstruction and architectural innovation.
Designed by Herbert Schiller the ECO-Haus was built in 1954 and 1955. The Philipp Holzmann AG construction company brought Schiller’s vision to life. Its steel-frame construction was quite modern for that time. The ECO-Haus is now a protected historical landmark.
Notice the architectural details. The ground floor is glass. Above it a sloping roof juts out creating a unique visual effect. Elongated windows stretch from the first to the fifth floor. Travertine panels cover the facade. The top floor is set back creating balconies. These balconies have metal railings.
The building got its name from Gerhard Ebel & Co a clothing manufacturer. This company was also known as Eco. They were the original owners. In 1955 an advertisement called the ECO-Haus impressive. It stated that the ECO-Haus provided light-filled workspaces. These spaces accommodated 1,000 employees in the clothing industry.
After the Berlin Wall was erected many clothing firms shut down. They ceased operations in the ECO-Haus and West Berlin during the 1960s. Today lawyers various companies and firms occupy the building.
Interestingly the ECO-Haus once housed a cinema called the Bonbonniere. Walter Labes designed it. The Bonbonniere opened on November 5, 1954. It had 424 seats. The cinema specialized in American films.
For a while the Bonbonniere became an adult movie theater in the 1970s. It later reopened as Cinema Berlin then Hollywood. It became a repertory cinema showing mainly premieres. In 1993 the cinema expanded. A second screen was added in an adjacent shop. Sadly the cinema closed in mid-August 2003.
In 2005 the KU64 dental practice opened on the fifth and sixth floors. GRAFT architects redesigned the interior. Dr. Stephan Ziegler commissioned the redesign. In 2008 the interior design won first prize at the Archip Awards for Public Interior Innovation. In 2011 the children’s area KU 65 was redesigned. In 2013 it received recognition from AKG. AKG is Architects for Hospital Construction and Health Care in the BDA e. V.
Take a moment to look at the sidewalk in front of the ECO-Haus. You will see three Stolpersteine. These memorial stones commemorate Georg Anna and Ida Bremer. They were placed here on June 9 2009. These stones serve as a reminder of the past.
The ECO-Haus stands as a symbol of Berlin’s resilience. It is a blend of architectural history and modern use. From its early days as a center for the clothing industry to its current mix of businesses and services the ECO-Haus has adapted to the changing times. Its unique design and historical significance make it a notable landmark on the Kurfürstendamm.