A striking building it is. The Ignatius-Haus stands proudly. It’s a testament to 1950s architecture. Right here on the Amtsgerichtsplatz in Charlottenburg.
The Ignatius-Haus wasn’t always a striking building. It was built in 1955 and 1956. Architect Johannes Jackel designed it. He created it for the Society of Jesus. The Jesuits the Society of Jesus needed a new home in Berlin. They used the Ignatius-Haus for many things. There was a chapel. There were living quarters for the Jesuits. There were meeting rooms too. Even shops were part of the Ignatius-Haus.
The building is really quite unique. Its colorful exterior is eye-catching. The unusual floor plan makes it stand out. The windows are framed in a very distinctive way. The Ignatius-Haus was meant to be multi-functional. It stands in contrast to the surrounding buildings. They are from the Gründerzeit period. The Ignatius-Haus is a true gem from the 1950s.
For many years the Ignatius-Haus was empty. The Christian Faith and Life School St Ignatius moved in 2003. It moved to a new building on Witzlebenstrasse. After the school moved out the Ignatius-Haus was vacant. There were even fears that it would be demolished. Luckily that didn’t happen.
Recently things have changed for the Ignatius-Haus. There are new plans for its use. The nearby Ivbergs Hotel is expanding. They have completed the demolition work. Hopefully the new owner will appreciate the building’s architectural value. The 1950s facade is quite beautiful. It’s hoped that the new owners will treat it with care. The inside is a different story. The original staircase is very delicate. A lift is probably going in. It’s likely to obstruct the view of the staircase. That’s a shame. But progress moves forward and I am sure the Ignatius-Haus has a bright future. The Ignatius-Haus is a piece of Berlin’s history. It is a special place that deserves to be preserved.