"Potse" story
Snapshots of Potsdamer Straße in September 2019
The Neue Nationalgalerie at the beginning of its renovation.
History of the "Potse"
Potsdamer Straße is one of Berlin's most important streets, known for its rich history and cultural diversity. Affectionately and somewhat flippantly called "Potse" by Berliners, it winds through the Schöneberg and Tiergarten districts toward Berlin-Mitte.
The following 11 stops showcase snapshots of some of the faces and stories of the many creative people on Potsdamer Straße. They illustrate how this street is constantly changing while maintaining its unique charm.
Station 1 - 19.09.2019 at 9:34 - Potsdamer Str. 50
New National Gallery
Inaugurated in 1968, Mies van der Rohe's building is an iconic and world-famous structure. It was erected on a site in central Berlin that had been bombed out during World War II and, during the Cold War, stood alone on the border fence between East and West. It symbolizes not only the reconstruction of Germany but also the idea of democratic modernity, which was to become a timeless feature of this region. On August 22, 2021, the Neue Nationalgalerie reopened after extensive renovations by star architect David Chipperfield. It presents works of art from the 20th and 21st centuries. Special exhibitions of contemporary art are held in the light-filled upper glass hall, while extensive collections can be seen in the spacious lower ground floor.
Station 1 - 19.09.2019 at 9:34 - Potsdamer Str. 50
New National Gallery
Inaugurated in 1968, Mies van der Rohe's building is an iconic and world-famous structure. It was erected on a site in central Berlin that had been bombed out during World War II and, during the Cold War, stood alone on the border fence between East and West. It symbolizes not only the reconstruction of Germany but also the idea of democratic modernity, which was to become a timeless feature of this region. On August 22, 2021, the Neue Nationalgalerie reopened after extensive renovations by star architect David Chipperfield. It presents works of art from the 20th and 21st centuries. Special exhibitions of contemporary art are held in the light-filled upper glass hall, while extensive collections can be seen in the spacious lower ground floor.
Station 2 - Potsdamer Str. 75
In 2002, Caroline Mentz, Ulrike Schuster, and Dieter Funk founded this extraordinary place on the very spot where Joseph Roth wrote the first lines of his novel "The Spider's Web." Joseph Roth lived next door, at Potsdamer Straße 73. Today, a wide selection of newspapers and Roth's novels are available for reading. Hearty German cuisine is served in an authentic 1920s interior—or so it seems. In reality, the furnishings, made from plywood scraps, are a pure construction of their founders. But they are actually much more: a true homage to the intellectual Joseph Roth.
Station 3 - Potsdamer Str. 81e
The gallery was first on Linienstrasse and then on Schöneberger Ufer, just around the corner from Potsdamer Strasse. The move to the Mercator Höfe in 2017 was a good decision. The proximity to the other galleries and the first-class designer shops attract a good clientele. The elevator takes you up to the third floor of the side building to the Esther Schipper Gallery . The entrance, via the small bridge directly from the elevator into the gallery, and the view across the courtyard are impressive. Esther Schipper works with 41 international artists.
Station 4 - former Potsdamer Str. 86
Amidst all the new restaurants, trendy designer shops, and high-profile galleries, a place has been preserved at Potse 86 where time has literally stood still. A place that speaks of an era not yet dominated by digital tools. A store where curtains still hang in front of the windows and a green cash register sign above the cash register serves as a guide for customers. "Oh yes, those are our time clocks. The time clock is so old, they don't even make cartridges for it anymore. We still use it like this; it doesn't print anymore, but you can still see the imprint from the punch."
Station 5 - Potsdamer Str. 91
Oh, how beautiful is Panama! The title of the Janosch children's book classic doesn't immediately spring to mind upon entering this elegant restaurant. The decor is so grown-up. It's a beautiful place. A striking, photorealistic image of a barren desert landscape hangs on the wall. Large cacti, emerald-green velvet armchairs, bulbous vases. The furnishings have an exotic feel. Every object harmonizes with one another without being overly coordinated. The woven wooden chairs and the light wall paneling unerringly match the color of the brick wall of the Wilhelminian-era building. This can't be a coincidence, and yet it doesn't appear artificially over-designed. The old factory buildings were once used as a printing works; today they are a place to relax and unwind. Along with Katz Orange in Mitte, Panama is part of the Contemporary Food Lab. The lab develops food concepts for museums, for example, and proposes interior design ideas. A consulting agency for restaurants, so to speak. The Panama's premises are part of the former Tagesspiegel building; before the restaurant moved in, they stood empty. Ceilings were installed and floors laid so that the first upscale restaurant on Potsdamer Strasse could open. That was in 2016, and the clientele has been steadily growing ever since. The menu features regional products such as Hohenlohe beef and braised pickles, with jalapeños, ceviche, and tacos adding a touch of South American flair. The Tiger Bar is now also located on the premises.
Station 6 - Potsdamer Str. 91
spyke
Our digital agency for business experiences is located on the first floor of one of the oldest front buildings on Potsdamer Strasse, overlooking the famous Victoria Bar, where you can find a number of international artists.
Station 7 - Potsdamer Str. 93
Harb - Wines and delicatessen from Lebanon
"All of our products are of the highest quality. I wouldn't sell anything I wouldn't eat myself," says Olli, manager of the oriental import-export store. A large portion of the goods are sold directly to the catering and hotel industry, with customers including the upscale restaurants and hotels on Potsdamer Strasse. "We offer the finest Oriental products. You don't find that so often in Berlin." Olli's father was formerly the head of the Lebanese consulate and then one of the first oriental food retailers in Germany. The family has good ties to Lebanon. It's great for the store that the street is changing. Olli is vice-chairman of the IG Potsdamerstrasse (Potsdamerstrasse Local Interest Group). This interest group advocates for residents and business owners on Potsdamer Strasse between Kleistpark and the Landwehr Canal. The entrepreneur benefits from the increasing number of affluent customers on Potsdamer Strasse. He and two friends have opened a lunch spot in the building next door. Maximum spices, minimalist decor. The concept is working; every lunchtime the restaurant is well-filled with young people who work in one of the agencies or galleries around the corner.
Station 8 - Potsdamer Str. 97
Klosterfelde Edition
For more than a quarter of a century, Klosterfelde Edition has been a leading name in the production of limited editions and multiples. Through ongoing and close collaborations with some of the world's most renowned artists, including Matt Mullican, Lawrence Weiner, and Jorinde Voigt, the gallery creates witty, playful artworks that are characteristic of each artist.
Klosterfelde Edition was founded in 1990 by Helga Maria Klosterfelde in Hamburg. Alfons Klosterfelde has been running the Editions Galerie Klosterfelde here at Potsdamer Strasse 97 for 10 years. Before that, his brother Martin was here. The gallery was formerly a stationery store; the old cabinets date back to that era. Behind the mirrored cabinet doors, shelves with old pens and their labels are still hidden.
Station 9 - Potsdamer Str. 98a
Edenspiekermann
Erik Spiekermann (*1947) – typesetter, printer, art historian, typeface designer, and specialist author – founded MetaDesign in 1979, which he developed into Germany's largest design firm until his departure in 2001. He runs the digital-analog book printing workshop galerie p98a on Potsdamer Strasse. It houses numerous proof presses, a Simplex platen, countless wood and lead typefaces, a Ludlow typecasting machine, a Risograph, and a type gripper.
Station 10 - Potsdamer Str. 98
Andreas Murkudis
"ANDREAS MURKUDIS 98 represents a wide selection of high-quality furniture brands and offers a fully furnished apartment with a living room, bedroom, dining room, and a bathroom." - Website .
At Potsdamer Strasse 77, the gallery-like space now houses artwork, the finest fashion, and a selection of handmade furniture and ceramics. At number 81, Murkudis offers high-quality designer fashion, accessories, and beauty products in the former Tagesspiegel printing works.
Station 11 - Potsdamer Str. 199
Unique Factory
"Our goal is to create uniqueness. Faceless mass-produced products from anonymous mass production leave little room for objects with their own character. Our goal is to create uniqueness. Faceless mass-produced products from anonymous mass production leave little room for objects with their own character. We want to take a stand against this." - Website .
photographer
Dawin Meckel
The "Potse" story was captured by photographer Dawin Meckel. He is part of the independent Berlin agency OSTKREUZ , which consists of 25 photographers and is the contact for photo exhibitions, photo productions, and image licensing.
In collaboration with interviewer Anna and idea generators Rosbeh and Matthias from mapmovingstory.
Station 4 - former Potsdamer Str. 86
Amidst all the new restaurants, trendy designer shops, and high-profile galleries, a place has been preserved at Potse 86 where time has literally stood still. A place that speaks of an era not yet dominated by digital tools. A store where curtains still hang in front of the windows and a green cash register sign above the cash register serves as a guide for customers. "Oh yes, those are our time clocks. The time clock is so old, they don't even make cartridges for it anymore. We still use it like this; it doesn't print anymore, but you can still see the imprint from the punch."