A groundbreaking courtyard complex of eight interconnected spaces, designed in Art Nouveau style by August Endell. Once a cultural epicentre hosting Berlin’s avant-garde literary scene, it remains a defining example of early 20th-century urban planning.
At a glance
The Hackesche Höfe occupies a full city block adjacent to Hackescher Markt in central Berlin. Eight courtyards flow seamlessly from a dramatic arched entrance at 40 Rosenthaler Straße, creating a radiant labyrinth of residential, commercial and cultural spaces.
History
Construction began in 1906 as a deliberate break from 19th-century courtyard typology. The design rigorously separated residential quarters, craft workshops, trade premises and cultural venues into distinct zones. In 1909, writer Kurt Hiller and poet Jakob van Hoddis founded Der Neue Club here, launching the Neopathetisches Cabaret—literary evenings that drew hundreds of spectators and became a vital node in Berlin’s modernist cultural network. A plaque commemorates van Hoddis, who perished during the Nazi era.
What you see
Architect August Endell conceived the complex in Jugendstil (Art Nouveau), the style then defining Berlin’s forward-looking identity. The first courtyard announces this ambition with a breathtaking facade of polychrome glazed brick—intricate patterning that catches light and invites passage deeper into the complex. The remaining courtyards maintain spatial coherence while allowing functional variety.
Cultural significance
The Hackesche Höfe exemplifies early modernist urban vision: mixed-use density without chaos, tradition alongside innovation. Its role as an incubator for Berlin Expressionism and Dada—housing writers, artists and performers—secured its place in 20th-century cultural memory. Today it represents a model of adaptive, human-scaled urbanism.
Key facts
- Country: Germany
- City: Berlin (Bezirk Mitte)
- Architect: August Endell
- Completed: 1906
- Coordinates: 52.52416667, 13.40222222
Practical information & getting there
The complex is accessible to the public. Entry is through the main arched gateway at 40 Rosenthaler Straße, a short walk from Hackescher Markt station in the Mitte district. The courtyards house shops, galleries, cafés and apartments, making it both a working neighbourhood and a destination.
Sources & resources
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