The imposing facade of Warenhaus Potsdam stands before you. Its history is rich and layered like the intricate glass ceiling within.
This magnificent building began life in 1905. It was a new construction for the F Schwarz department store. Schwarz however sold his business in 1906. He sold it to Hermann Ploschitzki. Ploschitzki continued the store under its original name. In 1910 he formed a buying association with M Hirsch Lindemann & Co. This was a partnership with Leopold Lindemann. After becoming Lindemann & Co AG in 1922 the Potsdam store was also called Warenhaus Lindemann. A large extension was added in 1928/1929. The extension used the grounds of the Senst Brewery. This extended the building to Jaegerstrasse 13/14.
In 1929 Lindemann & Co AG merged with Rudolph Karstadt AG. From 1931 the Potsdam store bore the Karstadt name. The Nazi regime viewed the Warenhaus Potsdam’s facade as jarring. It deemed its Art Nouveau decoration unsuitable for Potsdam’s classical architecture. While the building’s size couldn’t be reduced economically the decoration was removed. In 1937 all decorative elements were stripped away. Roof extensions were also removed.
After World War II Karstadt stores in the Soviet occupation zone were nationalized. Warenhaus Potsdam housed a Konsument department store during the GDR era. After reunification it was run by Horten AG then returned to Karstadt ownership. A roof fire in 1995 closed the building.
From autumn 2003 the empty building underwent a 50 million euro renovation. Large sections were demolished and rebuilt. On March 10 2005 a Karstadt branch reopened. It reopened as the Stadtpalais Potsdam. This was a centenary celebration of the original 1905 building. Only the listed facade and the impressive light well survived. The light well with its coloured glass ceiling is unique. It’s one of the last surviving elements of its kind. It stands as a testament to the Warenhaus Potsdam’s enduring legacy. It stands as a symbol of Potsdam’s vibrant past and present. It is a testament to resilience. It is a living museum of retail history. Step inside and feel the past breathe around you.