Schön­hauser Allee

Lofts in the laundry factory

Once a candle factory and laundry, then club premises and an artist’s studio, this old factory building is marked by an unsettled history. Long periods of standing empty, incen­diary bombs from the Second World War and flawed renovation measures had left the 4,100 m² complex from the 19^th century in a ruinous state that demanded far-reaching measures.

With respect shown towards the old building stock and its history, as well as through numerous unusual, detailed solutions, the factory has been returned to its original state, without losing any of its charm.

And the story continues: in colla­bo­ration with artist Ingrid Göttlicher, a bare firewall has been trans­formed into a poetical artwork. With an over-sized text on the theme of banishment, the painter, who herself worked for a while in the former studios, seems to blend the past and present into one.

Built in the 1850s, 55, Schön­hauser Allee in Berlin is the oldest building in Prenz­lauer Berg. While one day it would boast presti­gious balconies, delicate stucco works and a façade made of sandstone, at the beginning of the renovation it was badly neglected.

Complex resto­ration work began in close colla­bo­ration with the Office of Historic Monuments, from the very founda­tions to the smallest detail of décor, work which eventually gave the splendid building back its dignity. Meanwhile, the front house with its adjoining factory building possesses its own garage. The ground floor offers attractive space for commercial usage and its three floors received contem­porary floor plans for living space, which allows for a finely-tuned division between private and public zones. In this way the old building fulfils modern requi­re­ments both for living and working, without forfeiting any of the charm of its refined histo­rical features.

From the very founda­tions to the smallest detail of décor.

Complex resto­ration work began in close colla­bo­ration with the Office of Historic Monuments, work which eventually gave the splendid building back its dignity.