Was it fate that led the Kingdom of Denmark to Haus Sternberg? This grand house stands before you. It whispers tales of industrialists, art deco elegance, and diplomatic refuge. Today, we explore the story of Landhaus Sternberg.
Gustav Sternberg, a factory owner, commissioned this house in the 1920s. He hired Hermann Karpenstein, a talented architect, for the job. But the land had a past. Hermann Muthesius had planned a house here before. His design never came to fruition. However, Ludwig Lesser’s garden was partially complete when Sternberg bought the land. Lesser’s garden is an early example of a reform garden.
Karpenstein completed Haus Sternberg between 1923 and 1926. The house boasted Art Deco elements in its interior. Some of these details remain today. In 1930, the address book listed Gustav Sternberg as living here. It also mentioned a gardener and a chauffeur, possibly with their families. Sternberg owned a screw factory in Berlin-Borsigwalde. Even in 1943, Sternberg resided in this house. His factory used forced laborers during World War II.
The location of Haus Sternberg is quite special. It sits in Dahlem, a neighborhood known for its villas. The address is Podbielskiallee 34. This street is named after the Prussian Minister Victor von Podbielski. The property stretches from Podbielskiallee to Schweinfurthstrasse. The U-Bahn station Podbielskiallee is only 300 meters away.
Fast forward to 1998. The Kingdom of Denmark acquired Haus Sternberg. They needed a residence for their ambassador. The Nordic Embassies complex did not include ambassador residences. So, Haus Sternberg became the perfect choice.
The house underwent renovations from 1999 to April 2001. The building was modernized while respecting its historical significance. The renovation cost about 1.9 million euros. The garden’s orangery received an extension. It now hosts banquets for up to 20 guests.
Today, Haus Sternberg serves as the Danish ambassador’s residence. It stands as a protected historical landmark. Both the house and its gardens are under historical preservation. They are testaments to Berlin’s rich architectural history. They also show its international connections. As you leave Haus Sternberg, remember its layered past. It is a house of industry, art, and diplomacy.