Rote Villa

Why is it called the *Rote Villa*, you might wonder, as you stand before this striking building? Well, its nickname, the “Red Villa,” becomes quite obvious when you observe its distinctive reddish hue. This large townhouse known as Rote Villa on Berliner Straße in Potsdam boasts a fascinating history intertwined with the city’s own evolution. Built between 1872 and 1873 by the renowned Potsdam construction company Gebr. Petzholtz, Rote Villa’s design came from the drawing board of the masterful Ernst Petzholtz, a court master builder and mason. The villa, originally located at Neue Königstraße 49b, changed its address to 107 before finally settling at its current location. Initially owned by a Mr. von Ziethen, a lieutenant who later rose to the rank of Rittmeister in the Garde-Husaren-Regiment, Rote Villa saw a change in ownership in 1892 when restaurateur Gustav Lübnitz acquired it. Lübnitz transformed the building into a restaurant named *Zur gemütlichen Klause*, leasing it out to various restaurateurs throughout the years. The villa’s legacy as a culinary destination continued for over a century. Until 1999, various restaurateurs kept its doors open, serving locals and visitors alike. After a period of vacancy followed by extensive refurbishment, Rote Villa reopened in 2004, this time embracing a new chapter as a haven for both offices and apartments. The next time you pass by Rote Villa, remember that beneath its red facade lies a story echoing with the spirit of Potsdam, shaped by the hands of skilled craftsmen and imbued with the memories of convivial gatherings and countless meals shared.