Fancy stepping into Hamburg’s Levantehaus a building where history and modern elegance intertwine? The Levantehaus is more than shops and cafes. It is a landmark with a story etched in its very bricks.
The name “Levante” itself holds significance. It means “towards the sunrise”. This hints at the building’s original purpose. It was built in 1911/1912 by Franz Bach. The Levantehaus served as a Kontorhaus or trading house. The German Levante Shipping Line was its first major tenant. This company traded with the eastern Mediterranean. Hence the name and the sun symbol above the entrance. The sun is still the trademark of the Levantehaus. It represents the building’s connection to new beginnings.
Imagine this: it’s the early 20th century. Hamburg is a bustling port city. Trade with the world is booming. The Levantehaus stands as a testament to this era. It is a place where merchants gathered to conduct business. They charted courses to distant lands.
The Levantehaus wasn’t always as we see it today. During World War II in 1943 and 1944 bombs caused terrible damage. But like Hamburg itself, the Levantehaus rose again. From 1948 to 1950 it was rebuilt true to its original design.
For many years the Levantehaus functioned as office space with retail shops on the ground floor. From 1946 to 1971 it even served as headquarters for Deutsche Philips. Locals knew it as the Philips-Haus. A mosaic of the Philips logo once marked the entrance.
In the mid-1990s the Levantehaus faced a turning point. There was an oversupply of office space in Hamburg. The existing layout of the Levantehaus made it difficult to rent out space. So from 1995 to 1997 it was transformed. It became the shopping passage and hotel we see today.
The architects kept the historic facade. They reconstructed the roof. But the interior was completely redesigned. The building was expanded with four additional floors. The basement was lowered to street level. This allowed for easier access.
The Levantehaus features a shopping passage on the ground floor and first floor. These passages are covered with glass roofs. Sunlight floods the area. The supporting structures combine brick, sandstone, and steel.
Take a moment to appreciate the art within the Levantehaus. Barry Baldwin created a sculpture of endangered species for the opening between the ground floor and first floor. Ada Isensee designed a stained-glass window. It is in the ceiling of the seventh floor. It shows scenes from Greek mythology.
The two old elevators were transformed into display cases. They showcase the passage’s shops and restaurants. A glass elevator replaced them. As you ride it you can see a mural by Mme. Pochie. It is called “Evolution of Humanity”.
Today around 40 shops, restaurants, and cafes occupy the Levantehaus. They offer everything from fashion to handcrafted goods. You can find the first Steiff Gallery in the world here. Also there are jewelry stores, and shops selling fine writing instruments.
The Park Hyatt Hamburg was once part of the Levantehaus. It occupied the upper floors. It offered luxurious rooms, a spa, and a fitness club. The hotel closed in 2022. But it is set to reopen in late 2025 as a Conrad Hotel.
The Levantehaus is more than a building. It is a cultural hub. It hosts art exhibits, literary events, and product presentations. The Levantehaus received an award for “Hamburg’s most beautiful facade”. It also won the KulturMerkur for its cultural contributions.
As you leave the Levantehaus remember its layers of history. From trading house to Philips headquarters. From bombed-out ruin to modern shopping destination. The Levantehaus continues to evolve while retaining its unique charm. It welcomes everyone to experience a piece of Hamburg’s past and present.