Potsdamer Platz's former delightful haven, Haus Vaterland, now a relic of the past

In the heart of Berlin, where Potsdamer Platz 10 now stands, once lay the grandeur of Haus Vaterland. Built in 1928 by entrepreneur Leo Meyer, this entertainment palace was a testament to the vibrant spirit of the Roaring Twenties.

The Kempinski family, of Polish-Jewish origin, had transformed Haus Potsdam into Haus Vaterland in the late 1920s. The building, with its impressive capacity of 8,000 across 13 restaurants, was a veritable melting pot of culinary delights. From a Japanese teahouse to a Spanish tapas bar, a Viennese cafe, a Hungarian tavern, and a Wild-West-style saloon, the diverse offerings catered to every taste.

One of the most spectacular restaurants, Rheinterrassen, was a spectacle in itself. It boasted a diorama of the Rhein river, twenty dancing 'Rhineland maidens', and an hourly pyrotechnic thunder-and-lightning storm that left patrons in awe. The ballroom, lined with palm trees, was a faithful copy of the Garden of Eden and had a spring-bound dance floor that seemed to bounce with the rhythm of the music.

Dining orders were sent via pneumatic tubes, and dirty dishes were returned to the kitchen on conveyor belts, ensuring a seamless dining experience. Six bands, playing flamenco, polka, and jazz, were part of the Haus Vaterland complex, providing a soundtrack to the festivities.

The Haus Vaterland was a popular destination, with the venue celebrating the arrival of its millionth guest just a year after opening. However, its glory was short-lived. Part of the building sat in the buffer zone between West Berlin and the Berlin Wall, which was erected in 1961. This division not only isolated the building but also made it a target for destruction.

By the 1970s, Haus Vaterland had been demolished entirely. Nowadays, what remains of the once world-renowned pleasure palace is hard to conceive. It is often just a soulless patch of cement at Potsdamer Platz 10, where only pigeons gather.

In the 1960s and 70s, the abandoned structure served as a location for illicit and wild partying, especially by gay men from West Berlin seeking a venue free of police harassment. Today, the memory of Haus Vaterland lives on, not just as a historical landmark, but as a symbol of the vibrant spirit and resilience of Berlin.

Carl Stahl-Urach, lighting designer for Fritz Lang, had earlier converted the roof's copper dome into a rotunda of light with 4,000 twinkling bulbs. Even in its demolished state, the spirit of Haus Vaterland continues to shine, reminding us of the magic it once held for millions.

Potsdamer Platz's former delightful haven, Haus Vaterland, now a relic of the past