Buildings - Alexanderplatz

Alexanderplatz: It is the largest open square and public transportation hub in central Berlin. Originally a cattle market in 1805, it became a major commercial center in the late 19th century with the construction of a train station. In the 1920s, along with Potsdamer Platz, it was the heart of Berlin’s nightlife, inspiring the 1929 novel Berlin Alexanderplatz and many important architectural competitions with entries by Luckhardt, Behrens, and Wagner. After World War II the GDR redeveloped it as the city center with several notable structures including the Fernsehturm / TV Tower, the second tallest structure in Europe. Starting in 1993, its postwar socialist character has today been replaced by a major redevelopment.

• 
  Alexanderplatz with television tower
• 
  Alexanderplatz Train Station, 1885
• 
  Alexanderplatz 1911 (photographer: Max Missmann)
• 
  Alexanderplatz 1925 (photographer: Max Missmann)
• 
  Alexanderplatz, comparison
• 
  Martin Wagner, announcement of 1928 Alexanderplatz competition
• 
  Luckhardt brothers, proposal for 1928 competition
• 
  Peter Behrens Alexanderplatz, model for 1928 competition
• 
  Alexanderplatz, subway station, designed by Alfred Grenander, 1930
• 
  Alexanderplatz, model with television tower, 1966
• 
  Alexanderplatz, construction site, 1968
• 
  Alexanderplatz, Hotel Berlin

 

 

Hackesche Höfe: An 18th century Jewish settlement with the first synagogue and Jewish cemetery in Berlin. In the late 19th century, the area was razed and a mixed-use complex containing restaurants, industry, shops and flats with eight courtyards, the largest in Europe, was built. Some of these still preserve an art nouveau style, while in 1997 many exteriors were rebuilt in a contemporary style.

• 
  Hackesche Höfe, from the street
• 
  Hackesche Höfe, from the street
• 
  Hackesche Höfe, comparison

 

 

Volksbühne/People’s Theater: The Volksbühne is located in Berlin's city center (Mitte) on Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz in what was the GDR's capital. The Volksbühne, originally built in 1913, was destroyed during World War II and rebuilt from 1950 to1954. The building exemplifies the socialist realism style of architecture that characterized much of East Berlin.

• 
  Volksbühne 1990s
• 
  Volksbühne 1890s
• 
  Volksbühne,with Kleine Alexanderstrasse, 1920s
• 
  Volksbühne 1940s


• 
  Volksbühne, comparison

 

 

Oranienburger Strasse Synagogue: The New Synagogue/Neue Synagoge on Oranienburger Strasse in central Berlin was the largest synagogue in the city at the time of its opening in 1866. Though the synagogue was spared from destruction by the Nazis on Kristallnacht, Allied bombing largely destroyed it in 1943. The front section of the synagogue was restored and reopened in 1995 as a museum and Jewish community center.

• 
  Oranienburger Strasse Synagogue
• 
  Oranienburger Strasse, Neue Synagoge
• 
  Oranienburger Strasse, comparison
• 
  Tacheles, Oranienburger Strasse