Villa Bönnhoff

Villa Bönnhoff is a residential house in Alt-Wetter built on a steep hillside with a high sandstone base, a northern tower, and a prominent entrance staircase. The structure uses local Ruhr sandstone throughout and features a distinctive layout oriented toward the valley below.

The house was built between 1901 and 1902 as a commission for foundry owner Carl Bönnhoff, designed by architect Rudolf Plies from Wuppertal-Elberfeld. Since 2009, it has housed Café Bonheur, giving the villa a new purpose as a cultural venue.

The name and design reflect the prosperity that the original owner gained through his foundry business. Inside, you can see craftsmanship displayed through hallways and staircases decorated with multi-colored stucco marble details.

The house is accessed by a broad staircase that leads up from street level, providing a well-structured approach. Inside, it houses Café Bonheur, which hosts exhibitions, readings, and concerts in various rooms throughout the building.

The building uses an unusual orientation on the hillside, with its facade facing not toward the street but out toward the valley below. This perspective makes the views from the house particularly appealing and sets it apart from typical construction in the area.