Price: €23.8 million (US$27.4 million)
This early 20th-century villa in Berlin’s Zehlendorf neighborhood is both stylish and storied.
Originally home to industrialist Gustav Winkler, the villa traded hands for many years outside the Winkler family until the original owner’s great-grandson acquired it in 2010, according to listing agent Serge Cowan.
“He came across the villa by chance and fell in love with it, then bought it and embarked upon a thorough three-year restoration,” Cowan said. Between 2010 and 2013, the family artfully revived the home’s original detailing, while integrating the latest in smart-home technology, air conditioning, underfloor heating and climate control.
Mansion Global Boutique: Board Meeting: Make Charcuterie Boards That Stand Out
Built by renowned architect Paul Renner, the historic villa now offers all the comforts of modern living and is “ready to move into, without a single update needed,” Cowan said. “There have only been two other properties for sale in the area in recent years and they both needed complete renovation, so this is a rare opportunity.”
In addition to its architectural grandeur, the villa boasts a rare private-access lake, multiple terraces, and lush landscaped gardens, making it one of Berlin’s most well-endowed estates. “I’ve been to a lot of properties around the world and this one is really, really special,” Cowan said.
Stats
The 14,940-square-foot home has six bedrooms with seven full bathrooms, including a guest apartment. Spread over four floors, the property sits upon a plot of just over half an acre.
Amenities
The home is set on a beautifully landscaped half-acre plot with terraces stepping down to the Waldsee lake, where residents can enjoy swimming, boating or simply taking in the tree-lined views from the garden or terraces. The property also includes a private driveway, garage and a separate guest apartment.
Inside, the amenities rival those of a boutique hotel. Four interlinked living rooms include a wood-paneled cinema room, a classic-style reading lounge and a garden room. There’s also a billiards room, an office and a climate-controlled wine cellar, as well as a state-of-the-art KNX smart-home system with over 700 access points.
Below it all lies a resort-quality wellness complex.
“The lower ground floor spa is absolutely beautifully designed,” Cowan said. It includes a gym, sauna, steam room and a hot tub that opens directly onto the garden. “You can be in the hot tub in winter with the doors open onto the garden, even when it’s snowing.”
Neighborhood Notes
Tucked in Berlin’s southwest, Zehlendorf is one of the capital’s most prestigious residential enclaves—a leafy suburb that feels worlds away from the city’s bustle yet lies only 20 minutes from its center. The neighborhood’s broad boulevards, elegant villas, and proximity to forests and lakes make it a long-favored address for Berlin’s high society. It’s similar to “St. John’s Wood in London,” Cowan said.
While enjoying privacy and tranquility, Zehlendorf also boasts access to excellent infrastructure. The district has convenient links by train and bus, with Berlin Brandenburg Airport accessible within 20 minutes, making it especially appealing for international homeowners.
Cultural and educational amenities also abound. The area is home to the Free University of Berlin, several top-rated schools, and numerous museums and galleries. Its nearby lakes, woodland trails, and charming local cafés give it the feel of a small village within a major capital.
Agent: Serge Cowan, DDRE Global