From its opulent beginnings to its modern grandeur, the Kaufhaus des Westens, or KaDeWe, stands as a testament to Berlin’s resilience. The KaDeWe first opened its doors in 1907. It was the brainchild of Adolf Jandorf. He envisioned a department store that would cater to the desires of Berlin’s elite. The store boasted 24,000 square meters of retail space, designed by Emil Schaudt in a neoclassical style. The KaDeWe quickly became a hub of luxury and innovation. It offered a then unheard-of array of services. These services included a hair salon, a bank, a lending library, and even dog kennels in the basement.
The KaDeWe’s early success was a reflection of Berlin’s own rise as a global metropolis. The Tauentzienstraße, where the KaDeWe is located, transformed from a quiet residential street into a bustling shopping boulevard. The store’s popularity continued to grow. In the 1920s, under the ownership of Hermann Tietz OHG, the KaDeWe expanded with two new full floors and two attic floors. A rooftop terrace garden, reminiscent of an ocean liner’s deck, offered shoppers a place to relax. A cutting-edge delicatessen department, which would become a KaDeWe hallmark, was also added.
The Nazi era brought a dark chapter to the KaDeWe’s story. The Jewish-owned Tietz company was “aryanized,” and renamed Hertie. In 1943, a devastating air raid resulted in a fire that gutted the building, destroying much of its interior and archives. Yet, even amidst the ruins, the spirit of the KaDeWe endured. A makeshift store operated from the Femina dance hall on Nürnberger Straße until the first two floors could be rebuilt and reopened in 1950. The reopening was a beacon of hope in postwar Berlin. It attracted 180,000 eager shoppers on its first day.
The construction of the Berlin Wall in 1961 presented a new set of challenges. The KaDeWe lost many of its East Berlin employees and customers. However, fueled by West Germany’s Wirtschaftswunder, the store continued to thrive. By 1978, it had undergone another major renovation, expanding to 44,000 square meters. The KaDeWe once again became a premier shopping destination. It was known for its luxurious goods and its legendary sixth-floor food hall, the largest delicatessen department in Europe.
The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 was a momentous occasion. The KaDeWe saw an unprecedented influx of visitors from the former East, eager to experience the abundance of the West. In the years that followed, the store continued to evolve. A seventh floor, featuring a glass dome and a restaurant, was added in the 1990s, expanding the retail space to 60,000 square meters.
Today, the Kaufhaus des Westens continues to be a landmark of Berlin. It stands as a symbol of the city’s history and its unwavering spirit. Whether you’re searching for the latest fashions, indulging in gourmet delicacies, or simply soaking in the atmosphere, the KaDeWe offers a truly unique experience. It’s a place where luxury meets history, and where the past and present intertwine.