Bonjour Tristesse

Bonjour Tristesse is a seven-story residential building on Schlesische Strasse in Kreuzberg featuring a distinctive curved facade with a regular window pattern. The ground floor holds commercial spaces while the six upper levels contain 46 residential units accessed through a central circulation system.

Portuguese architect Álvaro Siza Vieira designed this residential complex in 1980 as part of the International Building Exhibition Berlin 1987. The project was part of a broader urban renewal effort in the district during that period.

The building was originally designed to provide housing for families from different backgrounds, reflecting Berlin's approach to serving diverse communities. Residents shape the neighborhood through their daily presence, making it a place of genuine variety.

The building sits on a busy street with good access to public transport and nearby shops. As an active residential community, it is visible from outside but residents' privacy should be respected.

The name comes from graffiti painted on the upper facade in the 1980s, which the architect chose to preserve rather than remove. This decision made the street art a lasting part of the building's identity.