Designed by the Office for Metropolitan Architecture before the wall came down, the building’s formal logic relates to the former allied border complex at Checkpoint Charlie. Until 1994, the open ground floor of this building contained a turn-around for allied vehicles and customs facilities, with terraced housing above, using the roof of the checkpoint for their gardens. Since, the ground floor has been replaced with a (less interesting) enclosed retail space.

The entire building is set back from the street. While there are slight differentiations in window texture, the black, horizontally-banded street facade is mute, except for the sweeping, perforated roof canopy which extends beyond the face of the building. Walk around to the rear of the building to see the formal expression (through different types of windows and balconies) of various apartment types.

Jay Berman 1999

How to visit

Take the Ubahn U2 or U6 either to Stadtmitte (and walk south along Friedrichstrasse) or to Kochstrasse (and walk north along Friedrichstrasse). The ground floor is open during shopping hours.