Palais Mendelssohn

Palais Mendelssohn is a neoclassical building in Grunewald with two distinct wings and a staircase tower positioned in the courtyard. The structure blends residential spaces with service areas, drawing architectural ideas from English country estates.

The Mendelssohn banking family commissioned architect Ernst von Ihne to design this palace in the 1890s during a period when Berlin's wealthiest families were building grand estates. The construction reflected their status and the city's growing prosperity.

The palace reflects how wealthy Berlin families lived in the late 1800s, with separate spaces for family life and staff work. The layout shows the social structures of that era, keeping luxury areas distinct from service areas.

The building now serves as a social center, youth guesthouse, and hotel after major renovations between 1963 and 1967. Visitors can explore the interiors and use the facilities depending on what services are offered that day.

Two steel-armored safes from the banking era remain inside the building, with the larger one now converted into a conference room. What once secured valuables now holds bookshelves and serves as a workspace.

Location: Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf

Inception: 1896

Architects: Ernst von Ihne

Official opening: 1898

GPS coordinates: 52.48830,13.27720

Latest update: December 10, 2025 20:07