History

An imperial post office, later named “Postamt West” was built in Hauptstrasse on the grounds of a former villa of one of Schöneberg’s “million farmers". It comprised a front building, a side wing and a rear building surrounded by a glassed atrium. The impressive brick façade, adorned with historicizing renaissance features, was designed by the Post Office Construction Surveyor Otto Spalding. Prior to his assignment with the postal services Spalding and his famous brother-in-law Alfred Grenander ran their own architectural bureau. The floor plans of the building were penned by another architect and Construction Surveyor Louis Ratzeburg. The street front building, and in particular its façade, was an overt reflection of the patriotism of the time.

But the tasks and duties of the post office were extensive. Only a few years later it had become too small and an extension was necessary.

Construction of a boiler house with a 40 meter high chimney in the former garden of the post office superintendent. Two steam boilers were necessary to drive the pneumatic tube system for the imperial post office. Several years later, the boiler house was used as heating facility and from 1955 onwards, it accommodated a transformer station. Wilhelm Walter, imperial post office architect and construction surveyor, designed the station. Although it served purely industrial purposes, Walter’s sense for architecture and style is evident in two large semi-circular windows, so-called Roman thermal windows.

The increasing importance of the telephone required a further extension and an imposing five-storey building was constructed in the courtyard to accommodate a telephone exchange. It was named “Vermittlungsstelle Stephan”, to commemorate Heinrich von Stephan (1831 – 1897), the general post director of the German Reich who initiated first telephone trials in Berlin. A few years later, the telephone exchange with the impressive switching hall was renamed “Fernsprechamt West”. Up to 200 women worked in the imposing light and airy hall decorated with magnificent ceiling murals which have been rediscovered during the refurbishment.

Expressionism was in fashion and Construction Surveyor Otto Spalding included a number of expressionist elements; The façade contains earthen references with a haptic range of textures, such as checkerboard friezes or rhombus forms. He deployed only brickwork in the construction and succeeded in creating unity in diversity.

With the introduction of dial telephones, a completely new technical infrastructure was necessary. Plans included the “Fernsprechamt Süd”, a new building for automated dialing services adjacent to the Fernsprechamt West and the closure of two gaps on the street front to Hauptstrasse and Belziger Strasse. But the gaps were never closed due to insufficient budget.

Construction of “Fernsprechamt Süd”, the automated dialing services building, later called “Ortsvermittlungsstelle OVSt 781”. This six-storey steel frame construction is brick-faced and later, became a valued example of the “Neue Sachlichkeit”. The uniform rows of windows lend the building a clear structure and a functional impression, ideally suited to technical installations. From the Belziger Strasse, one is impressed by the building’s clear lines as well as rounded edge and windows. The building was highly welcomed by all employees of the postal and telecommunication services: The platform roof was partially used as a rooftop terrace for recreational purposes, including an airy break room.

“Postfuhramt West” is added to the complex close to Belziger Strasse. The postal service’s haulage department here included an underground garage, a depot, a petrol station, and a number of workshops to maintain the fleet of vehicles. The ensemble is a brick-faced steel frame construction, built at basement and ground floor levels. Like its neighbor – the OVSt – the long building stands out due to its rounded ends. The architect of both the, “Fernsprechamt Süd” and “Postfuhramt West” was Post Construction Surveyor Fritz Nissle.

The Postfuhramt West was accessed from Belziger Strasse. All of the buildings were planned to be easily and efficiently accessible. Entry to the grounds was monitored from the gatekeeper’s house. The architectural styles of the workshop buildings are repeated here in the round edges and windows, as well as in the multihued bricks.

Postamt Schöneberg was hit by bombs during WWII. The main customer hall and the postmen’s hall in the rear building were severely damaged. The glass roof of the patio was completely destroyed, as well as some of the other roofs. Thankfully, the OVSt 781 and the Postfuhramt West survived the war undamaged.

During the following decades the complex was altered and refurbished several times. Over time, the hall of the former switching center “Fernsprechamt West” was used consecutively as offices, common room (1938) and canteen with kitchen (1965).

The post converted the telecommunication services from analogue to digital transmission. This resulted in major reconstruction works since several relay rooms became immediately redundant. They were initially vacant, then converted into offices.

The former post and telecommunication complex located between Hauptstrasse and Belziger Strasse has been recognized as historical monument and is listed twice in Berlin’s monument list with “Fernsprechamt Sued” and “Postamt Hauptstrasse 27”.

The transformation has begun: The complex, namee BRICKS Berlin Schöneberg in 2014, was acquired by Trockland. A painstaking preservation of the protected buildings followed.

Inspired by plans from over 80 years ago, two new residential buildings will close the gaps on the street front on Hauptstrasse and Belziger Strasse. Brickwork will continue as a bridge of time and architecture. A former industrial complex will be converted into a contemporary and vivid urban quarter. And it will continue to accommodate a post office offering comprehensive services.