On the shore of Lake Machnow in Kleinmachnow, right on Berlin’s southwestern city limits, stands the historic Hakeburg. Some of you may recognize the imposing castle gate from walking by, but hidden behind its thick walls lies one of the region’s most fascinating transformations—from an exclusive retreat during the imperial era, to a GDR party headquarters, and now its current transformation into a high-end residential complex.
The Imperial Era and the Research Center: Who Built the Hakeburg?
Dietloff von Hake had the Neo-Romanesque castle complex built between 1906 and 1908 as a family residence, based on plans by the Berlin architect Bodo Ebhardt. However, the family’s peace was short-lived. In the 1930s, the German Reichspost took over the site and, under Postmaster General Wilhelm Ohnesorge, used it as a secret research facility for high-frequency and television technology.
Prominent Guests from the Worlds of Science and Politics
During this period, a variety of colorful and controversial figures came and went. Physicist and inventor Manfred von Ardenne tinkered with radar systems here, while Nazi politicians such as Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels were guests. Even later, the stream of well-known yet controversial figures continued unabated.
During the GDR era, the castle-like building served as a prestigious guest house for the SED leadership. In addition to Fidel Castro and Mikhail Gorbachev, Nikita Khrushchev and Yasser Arafat, among others, stayed there.
SED Cadre Training Center: The Hakeburg in the GDR
After World War II, the estate entered its most historic chapter. The GDR turned Hakeburg into the SED’s “Karl Marx” Party School. Future officials attended classes here before the Institute for Social Sciences moved into the SED Central Committee. Later, the building served as a guest house and training center for the Free German Trade Union Federation (FDGB)—hermetically sealed off from the public.
From a “lost place” to premium living
After years of standing vacant and falling into disrepair, the building is now undergoing its next transformation. The historic castle, a listed building, is being extensively renovated and converted into exclusive condominiums. Where SED cadres once debated, luxury apartments with lake views are taking shape, combining historic stucco interiors with state-of-the-art living comfort. A total of 46 condominiums are to be built in the castle and on the grounds, with prices starting at €10,000 per square meter. Whether Berlin actually needs new luxury apartments, of course, remains questionable.
However, the Hakeburg is not completely off-limits. An agreement from 2018 guarantees public access routes across the property. In addition, the inner courtyard is to be accessible daily between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., and on Open Monument Day, the owners must open significant interior spaces to the public once a year.
📍 Location: Zehlendorfer Damm 200, 14532 Kleinmachnow
📆 Date and time: Outdoor area / forest trails accessible year-round during daylight hours (the grounds themselves are privately owned/a construction site)
