Kaufhaus des Westens, Department store in Tempelhof-Schöneberg, Berlin, Germany
Kaufhaus des Westens is a department store in Tempelhof-Schöneberg, Berlin, Germany, extending across eight floors with a total of 60,000 square meters (645,000 square feet). The retail areas are organized into thematic sections, from fashion and cosmetics on lower levels to homeware and delicacies on upper floors.
Johann Emil Schaudt designed the building, which opened on March 27, 1907, under the direction of Adolf Jandorf. After heavy damage during World War II, the building was rebuilt in stages, with the first two floors reopening in 1950.
The building presents a monumental facade with classical columns and cornices, making the entrance visible from busy Tauentzien. Visitors find an expansive gourmet department on the top floor with stalls for fresh seafood, cheese from around the world, and roasted coffee that fill the space with shifting aromas.
Access is through several entrances from Tauentzienstraße, with escalators and lifts connecting all floors. A visit is best made on weekday mornings or early afternoons, when fewer visitors move through the aisles.
The building originally featured a private landing pad for zeppelins on the roof, intended for wealthy customers to use. The idea was never realized, however, as the airships proved too large and heavy for the structure.
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