Berlin’s turbulent history has left behind interesting buildings in the cityscape that are rarely found in other major European cities. In the capital, classicist buildings line up seamlessly with brutalist concrete blocks, directly opposite the futuristic new building, which almost looks like a UFO. We have found Berlin’s most unconventional buildings for you!
DZ Bank building
Let’s start with an absolute banger in terms of eccentric architecture! “The best thing I’ve ever done” was how Frank Gehry described it when he designed the building, which opened in 2001. Located on Pariser Platz, the building stands out from the outside due to its sheer mass, which is only reinforced by the chaotic distribution of windows on the front of the building. But the real feast for the eyes is hidden inside the building: Here, meter-high arcades line a huge atrium, which is covered by a glass dome. It contains a colossal sculpture in an abstract wave form, which is a fusion of stainless steel and pine wood on the inside. An absolute eye-catcher that rewards a detour through Mitte!
Hackesche Höfe building
Seen from Rosenthaler Strasse, the Hackesche Höfe are a rather inconspicuous complex. Of course, the architecture of the old buildings is impressive and beautiful to look at. But behind them lies the real yellow of the egg! There are eight courtyards here, which are connected by narrow alleyways and have phenomenal façades. You rarely get lost here in everyday life, so it’s all the nicer to stop by the courtyards from time to time and be captivated by their beauty every time.
Berlin Central Station
This selection may leave some people scratching their heads, but hear me out! The almost endless glass facades of the main station are not something you see everywhere. On the one hand, the building impresses with its sheer size, which officially makes it the largest junction station in Europe. On the other hand, the futuristic architectural style is an otherwise rarely found piece of architecture, both in Berlin and elsewhere!
Berlin Cathedral
Berlin Cathedral, an undisputed landmark of the capital, is located directly between the Spree and the Lustgarten. Both its iconic green domes and its Neo-Renaissance architectural style make it stand out from the cityscape in a way that only the Berlin television tower creates. The building was erected between 1894 and 1905 and is the largest Protestant church in Germany in terms of area!
Galeries Lafayette
Originally, a magnificent boulevard was to be built on the site of today’s Galeries Lafayette under the GDR leadership, but the fall of the Wall got in the way of its construction. By 1996, an extremely interesting building had been erected here that is rarely seen in Berlin. On the one hand, it is one of two buildings with a glass façade in the city center. On the other hand, the interior of the Galeries is particularly impressive with its glass funnel, which can otherwise only be found in a similar form in the Reichstag building finds. It extends from the basement of the luxury department store to the office space on the top floor and provides a unique view of all 7 floors of the building complex.
Local Court Mitte
Just a few minutes away from Alexanderplatz is the district court, one of, if not the most beautiful buildings in the whole of Berlin. Built in 1904, the building is a real eye-catcher from the outside, but – as with many entries on this list – the real gem lies inside! It is almost reminiscent of a palace, thanks to the huge spiral staircases, unique pink columns and lots of arches. The cherry on top is a huge chandelier in the center of the atrium. If there was a Ministry of Magic in Germany like in the Harry Potter novels, it would undoubtedly be here!
Paul Löbe House
The Paul Löbe House in the government district is less romantic but very futuristic. Together with the Marie-Elisabeth-Lüders-Haus, it is located just a few meters from the Reichstag and is designed as a home for members of the Bundestag and their teams. The two buildings are connected by a interesting pedestrian bridge which leads over the Spreebogen. In keeping with its function, the building houses offices, meeting rooms, the Bundestag’s visitor service and, in addition to a hearing room, a parliamentary library. Even if you can’t necessarily enter the interior as an average consumer, the futuristic building with its colossal dimensions makes the perfect backdrop for a date on the Spree or for your Instagram feed.
Rotes Rathaus
Fans of Game of Thrones will surely remember the Red Keep in King’s Landing, which quickly became engraved in their memories thanks to its striking stone color and the many intrigues inside. A mini version of this can also be found in the center of Berlin with the Rotes Rathaus! The city’s mayors and the Senate of the State of Berlin govern from here. The eye-catching building was opened in 1869 and its unique color makes it a wonderful sight, especially in the evening sun. Apart from its color, it also stands out for its interesting architecture and the town hall tower above the main entrance.
Charlottenburg Town Hall
If you look across the skyline of Charlottenburg, one building in particular stands out from the crowd: The town hall tower of the district. One reason for this is its overall height of 88 meters, which makes it tower over most of the buildings around it. On the other hand, its architecture also makes it a real eye-catcher. The top of the tower, which rests on a base lined with statues, is particularly striking. It is also illuminated at night, so we recommend taking a look at the monument after sunset.