Haus Hartenfels, Heritage villa in Duisburg-Mitte, Germany
Haus Hartenfels is a mansion-style villa in the Duisburg city forest, standing on the northern peak of Backelsberg. The structure combines residential spaces in a protected property, now divided into multiple housing units.
Steel magnate Peter Klöckner commissioned architect Hermann Wolters to build this late historicist residence between 1910 and 1911. The land was purchased from Duisburg, with the property shaped by the solid architecture of that era.
The building displays a mix of Gothic and Renaissance elements visible in its uneven structure with high roofs, gables, and bay windows. These architectural features define its appearance to this day.
The villa underwent comprehensive renovation between 2014 and 2019, preserving the historical structure while converting it into multiple residential units. The work maintained the building's protected status while adapting it for modern living.
During World War II, the tower served as an anti-aircraft observation post and the grounds housed the 4th Flak Division command center under the codename Drossel. This military past is now only local history, but remains documented.
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