Before you stands the Quartier am Salzufer a testament to Berlin’s industrial past. This isn’t just a building. It’s a story etched in brick and steel. A story of factories and innovation.
The Quartier am Salzufer’s roots lie in 1902. The Apparatefabrik E Zwietusch a pioneering factory built its first structure here. This original building was eventually replaced in 1975-76. Another Zwietusch building existed a bit further north. It stood on what’s now Hannah-Karminski-Strasse.
Then Siemens entered the picture. In 1925-26 they expanded the complex. Their addition linked the existing Zwietusch buildings. The design for this impressive expansion came from Siemens’ construction director Hans Hertlein. The lead engineer at the Zwietusch works Dr Ing Wilhelm Kersten oversaw the overall plan. The original facade featured colorful Sommerfelder clinker bricks. The unique stepped roof design? It was a clever solution. It maximized space in the attic while meeting fire safety regulations. Originally there was a basement and five floors. Today the basement and ground floor are combined.
The Zwietusch factory was incorporated into Siemens in 1914 fully acquired in 1927. It continued as the Siemens-Zwietusch works. After war damage and reconstruction the site housed Siemens’ Radiowerk Berlin from 1960. Siemens sold the Salzufer 6 building in 1998. In 1999 the Spreestadt Charlottenburg development plan was finalized. This plan included the area between the Spree and Landwehrkanal. The former Zwietusch building now forms part of the modern Quartier am Salzufer.
Look closely at the southeast corner of the Quartier am Salzufer. You’ll see a distinctive gable. It’s adorned with a large clock once gilded and four terracotta heads. A long wing with a saddle roof extends along Hannah-Karminski-Strasse. Notice its gentle curve following the street’s path. The Quartier am Salzufer is a five-story steel-frame structure. Above are three additional stepped-back attic floors. A staircase tower rises to the northwest.
The Quartier am Salzufer is more than concrete and steel. It’s a chapter in Berlin’s history. It’s a story of industrial might innovation and transformation. It’s a reminder of the constant ebb and flow of a city’s life. A powerful narrative in the heart of Berlin.