Hackesche Hoefe is a group of eight interconnected, beautifully restored courtyard buildings in the historical center of Berlin. A heritage site since 1972, they represent the largest, enclosed courtyard area in Germany. The project combined art, work, eateries and entertainment – a novel idea at the time. Today, the Hackesche Hoefe are one of the trendiest spots in Berlin because they possess that Old-Berlin charm that captivates the hearts of tourists and locals alike. But that charm came at a price.

Hackesche Hoefe, Berlin, courtyard layout, photo © J. Elke Ertle, 2015, www.walled-in-berlin.com

Hackesche Hoefe: outside swank – inside rank?

On the outside, the Hackesche Hoefe were a creative and successful venture. But on the inside, the courtyards were haunted by persistent financial failures. It all began in 1858 when Hans Quiltz, a glass manufacturer, acquired a license for commercial use of the then vacant lot. When real estate prices exploded in the early 1900s, his heirs built the series of eight interconnected buildings on the site. The Quiltz heirs did not built basic tenements, however, as was common at the time, http://www.walled-in-berlin.com/j-elke-ertle/heinrich-zille-and-his-milieu/ they opted for an upscale mixed-use project. Therefore, the Hackesche Hoefe held offices, a banquet hall and industrial space in the front. Residential flats with balconies, central heating and parquet flooring were constructed in the back.

Hackesche Hoefe with Old-Berlin charm, photo © J. Elke Ertle, 2015, www.walled-in-berlin.com

In 1907 Kurt Berndt, a property developer, and August Endell, an architect, took over the property and restored the front courtyard (Hof 1) in Art Nouveau style with ceramic tiles that Endell had designed himself. Initially, the project was doing well, but WWI changed everything. One tenant business after the other foreclosed, and in 1924 the Quiltz heirs were forced to sell the Hackesche Hoefe.

The new buyer, Jakob Michael, was flush with cash. But when several of his other real estate investments began to fail in the wake of the worldwide economic crisis and he became involved in a bribery scandal on top of it, the Hackesche Hoefe went into receivership. However, Michael retained some interest in the project because one of his other business ventures, a department store, was able to purchase the property in a foreclosure sale. http://www.tagesspiegel.de/kultur/berliner-hoefe-8-die-hackeschen-hoefe-in-mitte-schabernack-ist-abgeschafft/12312774.html

Following WWII, the Soviet Military Administration requisitioned the Hackesche Hoefe. The grand banquet hall was turned into a canteen and storage space. The restaurant, which had closed in 1927 already, became an automotive shop for Trabants, the popular East German cars. And in 1951, a tenant’s association turned the building into a resident-owned apartment building.

By the time of the German reunification in 1990, Michael had passed away. His U.S. heirs received restitution and sold the property to Roland Ernst in 1993. Ernst, a West German real estate tycoon, purchased the Hackesche Hoefe for 24 million Mark and spent an additional 60 million Mark to bring the courtyards back to their original 20th century style and use. By 1997, restoration was complete, but Ernst did not get to enjoy the finished project for long. He went into bankruptcy in 2000 and was forced to sell the property to a group of investors. They, too, ran into financial difficulties and sold to a real estate concern in 2004. The most recent buyer prefers to remain anonymous. So far, all is well with the Hackesche Hoefe.

Where are the Hackesche Hoefe?

The Hackesche Hoefe are located between Rosenthaler Strasse 40 and Sophienstrasse 6, one block north of Hackescher Markt and the S-Bahn station by the same name. “Hoefe,” translates into courtyards. “Hackesche” refers to Count von Hacke, the Prussian General and Commandant of Berlin who was put in charge of the courtyards construction project in 1750. King Friedrich Wilhelm I had ordered the construction to keep up with Berlin’s rapid growth following German unification. http://www.walled-in-berlin.com/j-elke-ertle/otto-von-bismarck-visionary-or-villain/

Hackescher Markt with Hackesche Hoefe in the background, photo © J. Elke Ertle, 2015, www.walled-in-berlin.com

The Hackesche Hoefe Today

Today the Hackesche Hoefe are one of the trendiest spots in central Berlin with restaurants, cafes and shops. They attract tons of visitors every day. Hof 1 includes a cinema, several bars and restaurants. Hof 2 houses the Chameleon Theatre, as well as several offices. The smaller remaining courtyards are quieter and feature mainly small shops, galleries and apartments.

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Walled-In is my story of growing up in Berlin during the Cold War. Juxtaposing the events that engulfed Berlin during the Berlin Blockade, the Berlin Airlift, the Berlin Wall and Kennedy’s Berlin visit with the struggle against my equally insurmountable parental walls, Walled-In is about freedom vs. conformity, conflict vs. harmony, domination vs. submission, loyalty vs. betrayal.