On the border between Charlottenburg and Wilmersdorf, between Lietzenburger Straße and Fasanenplatz, a sophisticated residential complex recently opened its doors. Berlin—a metropolis made up of many distinct "cities"—reveals yet another facet in this neighbourhood. While the Charlottenburg stretch of Fasanenstraße bustles with shops, galleries, and cafés in the shadow of the Kurfürstendamm, the Wilmersdorf section, where this new building stands, is primarily residential. From here, an affluent, distinctly upper-middle-class neighbourhood extends toward Hohenzollerndamm. The elegant new structure fits seamlessly into this refined context. Its L-shaped footprint responds to the site's constraints: the rear garden could accommodate only a side wing because the neighbouring plot's boundary runs diagonally rather than at right angles. Nöfer Architekten, a respected Berlin-based practice with a strong portfolio of inner-city projects, designed this residential building. The stately façade signals its purpose immediately: this is "premium" living exclusively for owner-occupiers. Architecturally, the designers drew inspiration from the "rural city villa" typology—a nod to the neighbourhood's origins as a country house estate that gradually transformed into a denser, apartment-building-dominated district. To make way for this new development, a 1960s residential building—set back from the street line in keeping with the planning conventions of its era—was demolished.

The seven-storey structure is organized into three distinct sections: two base levels support four residential storeys, topped by a recessed penthouse level housing several exclusive apartments. On its comparatively modest 1,222 m² footprint, the building delivers 4,800 m² of gross floor space. Yet space remained for an intensely planted courtyard, thoughtfully designed by landscape architect Wallmann.

Forty apartments ranging from 26 to 300 m² were created, each with ceiling heights of at least three metres. The floor plans, tailored to individual buyer preferences, required an internal structure of just a few heavy-duty reinforced concrete columns.
But the true star of the show is the façade: tall French windows punctuate the central risalit, each framed by substantial natural stone columns and topped with modest projecting balconies. The two-storey base is clad in travertine blocks—some measuring up to 15 centimetres thick—establishing a dignified foundation. The main entrance, positioned at centre, takes the form of a gold-mosaic-lined "conch," crowned by a custom-designed light fixture and a delicate stucco rosette.

www.nöfer.de

Photography Credits:

Maximilian Meisse
www.meisse.de

(Published in CUBE Berlin 04|23)