Marvelous Haus Wien isn’t it? Standing proudly on Kurf”urstendamm 26 this building whispers stories of Berlin’s vibrant past. Haus Wien isn’t just a building. It’s a legacy. A testament to Karl Kutschera’s ambition and the resilience of the human spirit.
Kutschera a trained Viennese gastronome arrived in Berlin in 1900. He had already worked in Hamburg and even attempted to make his fortune in America. His attempts however were unsuccessful due to missing paperwork. Undeterred Kutschera opened Cafe Kutschera in 1906. Success followed. In 1907 he took over the Zattersall on Kurf”urstendamm. But Kutschera dreamed bigger.
In 1918 he purchased the Union-Palais. This grand building would become the home of his most ambitious project Haus Wien. In 1919 Haus Wien opened its doors. It was more than just a cafe. It included a confectionery. Haus Wien quickly gained international renown. Kutschera’s vision expanded further.
In 1929 he had the cellars expanded. The following year he unveiled the extravagant Zigeunerkeller restaurant. The Zigeunerkeller featured Hungarian cuisine and live Gypsy music. Architect Max Abicht designed the space. Artists A M Cay and Theo Matějko handled the interior design. The Zigeunerkeller was at the time Berlin’s largest sub-street level restaurant.
By the early 1930s Kutschera was one of Berlin’s most celebrated restaurateurs. Haus Wien and the Zigeunerkeller were popular meeting places for Berlin’s sophisticated elite. Kutschera also ran Kurhaus Claddow in Berlin-Claddow from 1924 to 1937.
Tragedy struck in 1936. Haus Wien and Kutschera’s other businesses became targets of Nazi persecution. Der Stürmer a notorious Nazi newspaper called Haus Wien and the Zigeunerkeller a Jewish Dorado. Heinrich Haumann a Gestapo and SD official spearheaded the persecution. Despite Haus Wien’s continued success including an increase in turnover in 1936 Kutschera was forced to lease his businesses to non-Jewish partners. Soon signs reading Jews unwelcome appeared. His businesses were ultimately removed from the commercial register.
The pressure from Der Stürmer and city authorities proved too much. Kutschera was forced to give up his life’s work. In 1943 the Kutschera family was deported to Theresienstadt concentration camp. Karl and his wife Josephine survived. Their children Karin-Gertrud and Klaus Gerhard were murdered in Auschwitz. The couple returned to Berlin in 1945.
Haus Wien reopened in 1946. Karl Kutschera died in 1950. His wife Josephine continued to run the business until the early 1970s. Haus Wien’s story is one of extraordinary success. It’s also a poignant reminder of the devastating impact of prejudice and oppression. This building Haus Wien stands as a powerful symbol of perseverance. It reminds us of the importance of remembering the past and fighting for a more just future. Today Haus Wien continues to be a testament to the enduring spirit of Berlin.