Jewel on the Havel – „The Villa – Berlin“

A villa straight out of "The Great Gatsby"

The double doors open as if by magic, sunlight flooding into the room and glistening off the parquet floor, polished to a high gloss. Your gaze is drawn by the ceiling, adorned with intricate stucco decoration. The generous entry hall is filled with a sense that the footsteps of former visitors to this place still echo here. It all feels like a dream. Like a journey back in time to the Berlin of the 1920s, golden, exhilarating and filled with glamour.

Inaugurated in the year the world-famous novel “The Great Gatsby” was published, the villa looks like a real-life version of the literary model. This magnificent and lavishly finished residence could have been plucked straight from the pages of the book.

A masterpiece of architecture: where history, nature, and culture converge

The completion of the villa gave Berlin a new centre for sophisticated high society. It stands resplendently like a palace on a raised plot above the banks of the River Havel, in the parkland surroundings that make Berlin the greenest capital in Europe. En-closed by centuries-old trees growing on terrain steeped in history, the estate is a luxurious retreat in the midst of nature. Yet at the same time it still enjoys the perks of having Berlin’s cultural and political life practically on the doorstep. Every room and every part of the garden affords a new perspective on the surrounding scenery. The large, arched windows frame the view out onto no less than three extremely notable sights. Babelsberg Palace, Klein Glienicke Palace and Glienicke Hunting Lodge appear just like in old master paintings.

The Glienicke Bridge is located directly next to the driveway to the villa. This historic structure connects Berlin and Potsdam, and until 1989 the state border between East and West Germany ran straight through the middle of it. The villa itself has long been part of German history too. It is listed for its historic significance and forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage Palaces and Parks of Berlin and Potsdam. The building was designed by the architects Carl Mohr and Paul Weidner for the Kampffmeyer family, who had been mill operators ever since the Middle Ages. At the start of the 20th century, Kurt Kampffmeyer had risen to become the largest mill operator in the whole of Germany. The traditional brands “Aurora”, “Gloria” and “Diamant” all still exist to this day.

Inspired by history: the artful restoration of grandeur

The spatial aesthetics of the villa are a playful take on the great era of Prussian history, with an interior layout that forms a harmonious, unified whole. The exuberant and opulent design was turned into a reality by the most talented craftsmen of the era.

In recent years, the residence has undergone extensive renovation work, thanks to the initiative of the current owner, under the direction of the renowned Kahlfeldt architecture practice. Under the strict watchful eyes of the heritage office, stucco decoration has been restored, carvings added and silk wall coverings rewoven. Though hidden from view, the building has also been brought up to the latest technical standards.

The sophisticated colour scheme brings out the uniqueness of each and every room. Every hallway and every room has an atmosphere and style all of its own. Custom-made, classic curtains and the restoration of various antique pieces of furniture and design classics complete the rich interior furnishings. Modern furniture pieces set accents within the historic rooms and are also custom-made.

A green paradise near Berlin

Just a 20-minute drive from Berlin’s City West borough, the villa’s expansive, park-like garden is a special place offering unparalleled retreat; an oasis of calm and serenity that continues under the vast sky of the surrounding scenery. Tucked-away terraces, protected by hedges, contrast with expansive lawns and provide ample space for peaceful, private moments and lavish parties alike.