Photo: @sohohouse / Instagram
Are you fans of unique architecture with a long history? Then Berlin is the perfect place for you. The city is full of nostalgic traces of times gone by, which are still reflected in numerous buildings today. Whether it’s a bar that used to be a GDR beauty salon or a “university on the water” located in a former rainwater retention basin at Tempelhof Airport —many places in Berlin have a history that’s hardly apparent at first glance. And today we’re telling you about a very special building: The history of what is now Soho House Berlin at Torstraße 1 is extraordinary, because nearly 100 years of Berlin’s history can be traced at this single address.
Photo: @sohohouse / Instagram
From a Jewish department store through the Nazi era and the GDR to today’s exclusive members’ club, the building has weathered completely different eras. It was constructed between 1927 and 1929 based on designs by architects Gustav Bauer and Siegfried Friedländer. Built in the New Objectivity style, it originally served as a credit department store for Jonaß & Co. AG and is now a designated historic landmark.
Behind the department store were the Jewish businessmen Hermann Golluber and Hugo Haller. The concept differed from traditional luxury department stores, as goods could be purchased on credit and paid for in installments. This meant customers didn’t have to pay the entire purchase price at once; instead, they could make a down payment and settle the remaining amount later. The building was also architecturally impressive. It offered approximately 15,000 square meters of usable space across seven floors. Interestingly, the roof already played a special role back then. It housed a restaurant—a remarkable parallel to how Soho House uses the roof today.
Photo: @sohohouse / Instagram
When the National Socialists came to power, a dark chapter began in the building’s history. The Jewish owners were forced out of their business and persecuted as part of the so-called “Aryanization.” Hermann Golluber managed to emigrate in 1939. Although large parts of Berlin were destroyed during World War II, the building on Torstraße survived the bombings relatively unscathed. As a result, it was ready for use again shortly after the war ended. Within just a few years, not only did its function change, but so did the political system whose representatives worked behind its walls.
Although large parts of Berlin were destroyed during World War II, the building on Torstraße survived the bombings relatively unscathed. As a result, it was back in use shortly after the war ended. Within just a few years, not only did its function change, but so did the political system whose representatives worked within its walls.
In 2010, Soho House Berlin opened in the former credit department store and political power center. Today, behind the historic facade lies a private members’ club and a hotel featuring dining options, fitness facilities, a movie theater, and a rooftop pool.