Parkchâlet Potsdam

The Potsdam district of Klein Glienicke has always been a place of aspiration. In the mid-19th century, mountains and the Alpine world were very much en vogue, inspiring Prince Carl of Prussia to have his own little mini-Switzerland built here. In keeping with the hilly parks with their idyllic waterways, architect Ferdinand von Arnim designed several Swiss houses in the Alpine style. Wide overhanging roofs, large balconies and, above all, the beautifully decorated fretwork carvings on roofs, facades and balconies were exotic and homely at the same time. Unfortunately, a large number of the Swiss houses were demolished after the Wall was built because they were too close to or right on the border. Fortunately, however, architect Gerald Kühn von Kaehne recognized the site’s potential again 15 years after the Wall came down. His project was an ambitious one: With his building, he wanted to honor the old while connecting it to the present, remember the history while giving life to something new. Subsequently, he created a new building on the old site. Reusing quarry stones from the old foundation, which turned up in the excavation pit, he had them sawed so that they could be used to partially face the new foundation. Part of the soul of the old house thus lives on in the new sanctuary. The large roof overhang and the surrounding balcony allow the architectural past to shine through, only the romantic carvings had to give way to a clear, modern, pared-back style. What has remained is the romantic yearning for a good life at one with nature. And as a guest, this is exactly what you’ll experience in the Parkchâlet with its generous window fronts. Birds chirping in the morning, a direct view of the trees rustling in the wind, rain, sun or snow—you’re right in the middle of it all. At the same time, the cultural highlights of Potsdam and Berlin are within reach. The Parkchâlet Potsdam is still a place of aspiration, but no longer just a homely one, but a very modern one.

WHAT WE LIKE MOST:

• The large window fronts, the glazed gables and skylights making you feel like you’re right in the middle of nature—outside and inside merging with each other.
• The owners lovingly distinguish between the leafless and the leafy season, no wonder when you live “door to door” or “door to trunk” with stately oaks and beeches.
• The different light ambiences in the apartments, depending on the time of year, the time of day and the weather.
• White built-in cupboards for storing everything, thus creating peace and calm in the open-plan apartments.
• All window and door surrounds, the small shelves or chopping boards with their harmonious, warm wood tone.
• The simple furniture with select, high-quality materials; in every room, an antique piece of furniture offering a contrast, a lavishly decorated golden baroque mirror here or a solid, baroque dining table there.
• The walks through the park, most stunning in the morning and evening light

GOOD TO KNOW:

• The different sizes of the six rooms ranging from 30 square meters to 155 square meters—everyone can find the right place to suit their requirements; the Beletage can be connected, or divided into two apartments.
• All apartments have their own outdoor seating area.
• Ready to sleep—bed linen and towels provided in the apartments.
• From May to November a minimum stay of 4 nights, in the vacation periods weekly rentals
• Bicycles can be rented on site (10 €/day).
• For shopping you need a bike or car.
• Today a walk in the forest, tomorrow morning a trip to the bathing lake and afterwards a visit to the museums and castles or a stroll in Berlin? This is the perfect starting point to combine nature and city life.
• Potsdam is only 15 minutes away.
• The center of Berlin is about 40 minutes away by car; by bus and train it takes about an hour—but then again there’s so much to see and discover here ...
• The palaces and gardens of Potsdam and Berlin are extraordinary hence also being recognized as UNESCO world heritage sites. Once a place of aspiration for kings, then divided by the inner-German border, today, it’s once again a spacious park landscape with numerous cultural highlights.
• Many of the sights can be reached by water cab (Museum Barberini, Babelsberg Palace and Park, Villa Liebermann with garden, Glienicke Palace).
• The rooms are also available for short-term lets.