What if I told you that Haus 28 was once a portal to the world? Not literally of course. But it offered experiences from around the globe all under one roof.
Today Haus 28 stands as part of the Freie Universität Berlin. But imagine stepping back in time to Potsdamer Platz. Imagine a pleasure palace known as Haus Vaterland.
Haus Vaterland was the dream of Leo Kronau. He envisioned a “house of nations”. It would emulate the international attractions of Coney Island. The Kempinski family brought this dream to life in 1928. They transformed Haus Potsdam into Haus Vaterland.
Carl Stahl-Urach modernized the exterior. He added stucco and illuminated the dome. Some 4000 bulbs created the illusion of spinning motion.
Inside Haus Vaterland different countries and regions came alive. Theme restaurants transported guests to far-off lands. Dioramas and lighting effects enhanced the experience. Musicians from different cultures played music.
The building housed the largest cafe in the world. It also contained a major cinema and a grand ballroom. Each restaurant offered authentic cuisine. The top floor housed a central kitchen. Pneumatic tubes and dumbwaiters delivered orders. Conveyor belts efficiently handled dishes.
Haus Vaterland promised “the world in one house”. It was a sensation. The millionth guest arrived within a year of opening.
Guests could visit a Viennese Heuriger. They could sample Sachertorte while gazing at a starry sky. They could experience hourly thunderstorms at the Rheinterrasse. A Turkish cafe offered gilded arches and marble floors. The Löwenbräu emulated a Bavarian bierkeller. A painted Zugspitze completed the scene. A Hungarian tavern and a Spanish wine cellar also were there.
The Wild West Bar featured cowboys and jazz music. Sidney Bechet played there in the early 1930s. Later additions included a Bremen Galley and an old Berlin beerhall. A Japanese teahouse and an Italian bar rounded out the experience.
The Nazi era brought changes. Jewish owners were forced to sell. A 1936 film featured the Horst Wessel song booming from loudspeakers.
In 1943 bombing damaged Haus Vaterland. Further bombing in 1945 left only the walls standing.
After the war Café Vaterland reopened. It became a hub for spying and black marketing.
In 1953 a fire completely destroyed the building. The ruins stood next to the Berlin Wall. In 1976 the Senate of West Berlin bought and demolished the building.
Today nothing commemorates Haus Vaterland on the site. Only offices stand there now. A semi-circular façade hints at the building that was once there.
Haus Vaterland was more than just a building. It was a symbol of Berlin’s vibrant past. It embodied the spirit of entertainment and internationalism.