Seven stories high the Ullsteinhaus stands. A red brick giant it dominates the Berlin skyline. This impressive building wasn’t always an office complex. Once it was the heart of the Ullstein Verlag a publishing powerhouse.
The Ullsteinhaus holds a special place in German history. It was Germany’s first reinforced concrete frame building. Architect Eugen Schmohl designed it. He also designed the Borsigturm in Tegel. Sadly Schmohl passed away before its completion in 1927.
Originally called the Ullstein-Druckhaus the building was both publishing house and print shop. Magazines and books were made here. Newspapers remained at the Ullstein Verlag’s original location on Kochstrasse. The Ullstein family owned the business. But in 1934 the Nazi regime forced them to sell it for a pittance. They tried to erase the Ullstein name. The street name was even changed to Zastrowstrasse. It remained that way until 1949. In 1937 Ullstein became “Deutscher Verlag”. The Ullsteinhaus became the “Deutsches Haus”.
After World War II the Ullstein family regained ownership in 1952. A section along Ullsteinstrasse was raised to match the rest of the building. The Ullstein heirs later sold large shares to Axel Springer. Springer sold the entire building. However he continued to print newspapers and magazines there until 1985. Smaller businesses and fashion companies moved in. Then a nine-story addition was built from 1991 to 1993.
Today the Ullsteinhaus is a bustling office building. It houses a variety of businesses. The building is also home to the Deutsches Pressemuseum. This museum displays the history of the press in Germany. A large bronze owl sits proudly at the entrance. This owl is the Ullstein Verlag’s iconic symbol. It’s a reminder of the building’s rich past. The Ullsteinhaus stands as a testament to resilience and architectural innovation. It’s a unique blend of history and modern life.