Right here stands the Siemens Verwaltungsgebäude a testament to Berlin’s industrial past. This impressive building wasn’t always a symbol of corporate power. Its story begins long before its current form.
The Siemens story started humbly in a small Kreuzberg workshop. In 1847 Werner Siemens and Johann Georg Halske founded their “Telegraphenbauanstalt”. They built their first telegraphs in a backyard workshop. This marked the beginning of Siemens’ incredible journey to becoming a global industrial giant.
By 1901 the company needed larger headquarters. A new administration building rose near Anhalter Bahnhof at Askanischer Platz. This was just a short distance from the original workshop. It’s a fascinating fact that Siemens & Halske had already provided the signaling technology for this very railway station decades earlier. Today the Tagesspiegel newspaper occupies this same location.
The company’s growth continued. By the end of the 19th century Siemens moved its main administration to Siemensstadt in Spandau. However they wanted to maintain a presence near the government district. That’s why this new representative office was built in 1915. The building at Askanischer Platz 3 is now home to a Mövenpick Hotel.
The building we see today is a product of several phases of construction and modifications. Architect Karl Janisch designed the original structure. It’s a beautiful blend of neobaroque and industrial styles. The wide street facade with its understated elegance is particularly noteworthy. The building originally housed showrooms offices and even workshops.
After its construction the building underwent various changes. It served different purposes throughout its history. The building ultimately became a hotel following renovations in 2002-2004. Yet even amidst renovations parts of the original design survive. For example you can still find the main staircase and a preserved assembly room. These elements silently whisper tales of Siemens’ rich past.
As you look at the Siemens Verwaltungsgebäude imagine the bustling activity it once witnessed. Visualize engineers and executives planning innovations shaping Berlin and the world. This building isn’t just brick and mortar. It’s a living chapter in Berlin’s history a symbol of industrial ingenuity and unwavering ambition.