Can you feel it? The pulse of Berlin softening here at Schmollerplatz. This isn’t just another square. It’s a story etched in brick and concrete, a testament to Berlin’s ever-evolving spirit.
Schmollerplatz is a long, stretched-out urban square. It sits in the northwest of Alt-Treptow. Alt-Treptow is a district within Treptow-Köpenick. The square carries the name of Gustav Friedrich von Schmoller. He was a renowned economist.
In 1909, Treptow’s council made a decision. Streets in the district should honor figures from economics and industry. Before this, streets were named after local businesses or landowners. Those landowners would pay the mayor for the honor.
Schmollerplatz itself took shape in 1929. It was formed from smaller streets and squares. These were consolidated between Schmollerstrasse and other roads. The official naming happened on May 17, 1930. Locals nicknamed the area the Professors’ Quarter. This was due to the scientific names of streets like Lexisstrasse and Onckenstrasse.
World War II left its mark on Schmollerplatz. Allied air raids severely damaged the buildings around. Residents used trenches to dump debris. By the early 1950s, it resembled a landfill.
But Berliners are resilient. From 1950, the area transformed into a residential zone. Housing associations like Gagfah erected homes with courtyards and green spaces. Even a community center named after Paul Robeson arose.
In 1950, 70 apartments appeared at Schmollerplatz 24–26. The 1960s brought more construction. Thirty units went up at Schmollerplatz 5, 7, and 9. Another 30 followed at Schmollerplatz 11, 13, and 15. The square expanded to include the area near the New Apostolic Church. By 1976, 40 more apartments were ready at Schmollerplatz 4, 6, 8, and 10. A Kaufhalle, a type of department store, served residents. It was built in 1977, but it was replaced with a residential building in 2016.
Look at the Neuapostolische Kirche Berlin-Treptow. Consecrated in 1926, it housed both worship spaces and apartments. Bombs damaged it in 1943 and destroyed it in 1944. Kids used its ruins as a sledding hill. The community rebuilt it. It reopened on November 25, 1953.
Notice the glazed ceramic art. It is titled “Baumträume” by Christian Uhlig. Created between 1977 and 1979, this artwork was commissioned by the district. It embodies leisure, humanity, and nature.
Today, Schmollerplatz is evolving again. Plans are underway to transform part of it into a climate project. The vision includes a publicly accessible urban nature and climate garden. This will enhance the square’s appeal to the community.
The residential buildings on Schmollerplatz are independent. They complete the city in their own unique way.
Schmollerplatz is more than just a place. It is a reminder of Berlin’s past. It also showcases the city’s commitment to the future. Take a moment to appreciate this space. It reflects the enduring spirit of Alt-Treptow.