Burchardplatz holds a secret. It is not just a square. Look closely at the Mohlenhof. This building shows the transition from expressionism to New Objectivity. The Mohlenhof is located in Hamburg’s Kontorhausviertel. Today, it is part of a World Heritage site.
The Mohlenhof was built in 1927 and 1928. Rudolf Klophaus, August Schoch and Erich zu Putlitz designed it. The building has seven stories and a flat roof. It also features staggered floors. This design reflects architectural trends of the late 1920s.
Notice the facade. It is clad with clinker brick. The inner courtyard is plastered and painted a light color. The continuous facade has serially subdivided windows.
Now, focus on the main entrance. Here, you will see a sculpture and relief by Richard Kuöhl. These are made of real tuff stone. The sculpture depicts Mercury carrying a cog on his shoulder. He also holds a figure of Hammonia. Hammonia is the symbol of Hamburg. She is shown as a small kore sculpture.
On both sides, reliefs symbolize the five continents. The sculpture is larger than life. Step inside the Mohlenhof. The entrance hall has a lavish design. The floor is made of white marble. The walls are covered with travertine panels.
The Mohlenhof is a reinforced concrete skeleton construction. Its simple design reflects architectural trends. It stands as an example of office building architecture. In the 1920s and 1930s, many buildings still used Beaux-Arts style. The Mohlenhof already had a modern clinker brick facade. It used expressionist and functional forms.
The Kontorhaus district needed redevelopment after a cholera epidemic in 1892. The district was once connected to Speicherstadt by a bridge. The bridge was called Große Wandrahmbrücke. It has since been destroyed. Today, Wandrahmsteg provides this link.
The Chilehaus, Messberghof and Sprinkenhof are nearby. With the Mohlenhof, they form the district’s core zone. These buildings stand out because of their architectural quality. With few exceptions, the buildings were constructed during the Weimar Republic. They rank among the most important office housing designs of their time.
The Mohlenhof is more than just a building. It represents Hamburg’s history. It connects art, trade and architecture. It survived the Second World War almost unscathed. The Mohlenhof stands as a reminder of Hamburg’s rich past. It is a testament to the city’s enduring spirit.