Can you believe this tranquil neighborhood of Hirschgarten was once just empty fields? Hirschgarten started as a simple meadow known as “Hirschacker” or deer field. In the 1860s, banker Albert Hirte inherited this land. He loved the peaceful area nestled between the Müggelspree and Erpetal landscape garden. He envisioned a charming villa colony. Hirte purchased more land. He began transforming Hirschgarten into his ideal community in 1870. The Franco-Prussian war complicated things. Labor was scarce. Hirte resourcefully employed French prisoners of war to help build his dream. He built the first structure, his own villa, in 1870. It stood where a restaurant now exists, near the old Chausseehaus. More villas quickly followed, attracting wealthy Berliners. By 1895, Hirschgarten boasted 42 villas and country houses. In 1890, a hot spring was discovered, leading to the short-lived “Solbad Hirschgarten.” Sadly, the spring dried up after 20 years. The arrival of the railway in 1894 cemented Hirschgarten’s popularity. The neighborhood even had its own S-Bahn station. This provided easy access to Berlin. Hirschgarten continued to thrive. In 1920, the central square, “Am Stern,” was renamed “Hirteplatz” to honor its founder. Hirschgarten remains a sought-after residential area in Berlin. It offers a blend of history, nature, and convenient access to the city center. The villas still stand, a testament to Hirte’s vision.
Genossenschaft PA58
From 1981 the Genossenschaft PA58 stands tall. It’s a self-managed house project. This is its story. This impressive building in