A gate, grand and wrought-iron, hints at stories within. We are standing before Haus Heidenreich. This building whispers tales of a merchant prince, Nazi intrigue, and secret societies. It is more than just bricks and mortar.
Haus Heidenreich’s story began with Adolf Heydenreich. He was a successful businessman. He made his fortune in textiles and coffee in Brazil. In 1910, he returned to Berlin and commissioned this impressive house.
Heydenreich hired Ernst Paulus and Olaf Lilloe to design his family home. These architects drew inspiration from French and North German aristocratic houses of the 18th century. The result was a grand residence. It reflected Heydenreich’s wealth and status. Construction took place between 1914 and 1916. Carl Bässell’s construction company executed the design.
Notice the imposing gate. The Werkstein pillars are topped with spheres and lanterns. This creates a striking entrance. It offers a glimpse of the impressive structure beyond. The house itself is a broad, two-story brick building. A high mansard roof and a bell gable add to its grandeur. Look at the light-colored Werkstein. The columns and window frames contrast beautifully with the red brick. This detail evokes the architecture of Münster and Holland.
Originally, the grounds covered over 7,400 square meters. A high boundary wall enclosed the property. This provided privacy and security. The layout includes a generous courtyard. A two-part staircase leads to the main entrance.
Inside Haus Heidenreich, symmetry and fine materials prevail. The heart of the house is a wood-paneled hall with a fireplace. It once offered views of the garden. Large reception rooms flank the hall. These rooms feature wood-paneled walls and stucco decorations. Even the children had ample space. There was a children’s living room connected to their bedrooms and a nanny’s room.
The Heydenreich family enjoyed their home until 1932. Later, during the Nazi era, the NS-Frauenschaft, the Nazi women’s organization, used Haus Heidenreich. After World War II, it became a guesthouse. Later, it was the Parkhotel Berlin-Dahlem.
In 1965, the Heydenreich heirs sold the property. In 1968, the Große Landesloge der Freimaurer, or Grand National Lodge of the Freemasons, acquired Haus Heidenreich. They adapted the building for their use. Fortunately, the original layout and some of the interiors were preserved. This allows us to still appreciate the building’s original elegance.
In 1975, a garden hall was added. It was replaced in 2019 with a new one. Today, Haus Heidenreich serves multiple purposes. It is the headquarters of the Freemasons. It is a learning center. It also hosts congresses, corporate events, and celebrations.
Interestingly, Haus Heidenreich has also served as a film set. It has appeared in productions like Cloud Atlas and Around the World in 80 Days. This landmark stands as a testament to Berlin’s rich and varied history. It is a place where commerce, family, political upheaval, and secret societies have all intersected. Haus Heidenreich continues to evolve. It is a building with stories etched into its very walls.