Scharnhorst substation

The Scharnhorst substation is an electrical facility with a steel skeleton structure and yellow clinker bricks, distinguished by triangular pillars and a circular glass extension on the roof. The former power distribution center now functions as a customer service facility for Vattenfall and is housed in a heritage-protected building.

The facility was built between 1927 and 1929 by architect Hans Muller for BEWAG and managed street lighting across Berlin through its rooftop control room. The plant was a key part of the modern infrastructure that Berlin developed during the Weimar Republic.

The building shows a blend of brick architecture and modern industrial forms that reflect Berlin's early 20th-century development. Visitors can observe on the facade the combination of solid yellow clinker bricks with a steel frame, typical of industrial construction from this era.

The building is located on Sellerstraße 16-26 in Berlin-Mitte and can be viewed from the outside, with the architecture clearly visible from the street. As it currently operates as an active customer service center, interior access may not be available and it is advisable to check in advance.

The roof was equipped with an automated lighting control system from the 1920s that adjusted street illumination automatically based on natural light conditions. This system was remarkably innovative for its time and made the building a model for modern energy management.

Location: Berlin-Mitte

GPS coordinates: 52.53737,13.36737

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:11