Near Berlin, there are a variety of extraordinary places that invite you to take a short break from the big city. From fairytale castles in the Classical, Renaissance, or English Tudor styles to estates that blend several architectural eras. But it doesn’t always have to be castles that we visit. Idyllic country estates also delight visitors with nature, regional organic cuisine, and impressive architecture. One such place is the Stober Estate, which is now considered one of Germany’s most renowned sustainable hotels and country estates, blending historic industrial heritage with modern luxury and a natural idyll.
The original manor house was built around 1800 under District Administrator Peter Alexander von Itzenplitz. However , the estate truly came into its own in 1866, when Albert Borsig, son of the famous Berlin locomotive entrepreneur August Borsig, purchased the estate. Under the Borsig family, Groß Behnitz developed into a state-of-the-art model farm with vast stable facilities, workshops, storage buildings, and its own distillery. At times, the estate encompassed more than 3,000 hectares of land.
Architecturally, the grounds today are more reminiscent of an aristocratic Italian estate than a classic castle. Many buildings were constructed in the so-called Italianate style and feature striking red brick facades. Particularly well-known are the historic distillery, the steward’s house with its tower, old farm buildings, and the spacious courtyards right on the lake. The original manor house no longer exists today, however, as it was demolished following a fire and the aftermath of World War II.
After 1945, the estate was expropriated in the GDR and used as a collective farm (LPG). Many buildings fell into severe disrepair over the decades. It wasn’t until after the turn of the millennium that the estate’s major revitalization began. Entrepreneur Michael Stober purchased the property in 2000 and invested millions in the restoration of the historic buildings and the development of a sustainable hotel and event concept.
Today, the Stober Estate is best known for its sustainability . The hotel has been named “Europe’s greenest hotel” multiple times, including in 2017 and 2021. The entire concept is based on renewable energy, regional organic cuisine, sustainable architecture, and climate-friendly hotel operations. As a result, the estate is considered a flagship project for sustainable tourism and green hospitality in Europe.
