Kleihues + Kleihues

Over the last hundred years, Alexanderplatz in Berlin has witnessed profound changes. The Kaufhof department store on Alexanderplatz is no exception. The origins of the department store can be traced back to the beginning of the 20th century with the establishment of the Tietz department store. Similar to the present building, the historic structure formed a defining feature of the square. After sustaining damage during the Second World War, the building was demolished in the 1960s, completely reconstructed and refashioned in a 1970s style, and integrated into an entirely different modern urban fabric. The redevelopment concept envisioned by Josef P. Kleihues required extending the building by 25 metres towards Alexanderplatz. Building services and administration, which formerly occupied the fourth and fifth levels, were relocated to a new top floor set back from the building’s newly extended façade. This opened up additional sales space on the vacated floors and created a light-flooded inner courtyard with escalators at the heart of the store. While embodying the original character of the building, the new façade is a modern interpretation of classic department store architecture and includes elements such as grand entrances, a two-storey base as well as moulded and clearly structured natural stone surfaces. Although the display of merchandise typically requires wall space, expansive windows were created along on all sides of the building. With the design of the Galeria Kaufhof, Alexanderplatz once again has a flagship department store that confidently rises besides its neighbours and forms an integral part of the cityscape.