#Berlin #Germany #1928
Walter Krüger, Johannes Krüger
Deutsche Mineralöl-Vertriebsgesellschaft mbH
Heilbronner Straße 12, 13
10711
Berlin,
Germany
Public transport: Charlottenburg
Access: Public building, free entry during working hours
Today's use: Bistro
Description
Nothing remains of the original garage complex, which comprised 47, and later 45, garages; the present building now occupies the site. Only the petrol station has survived and been restored. It consists of two semicircular structures with large glazed fronts, enabling staff to maintain a clear view of the forecourt. The two buildings are linked by a curved, steel-framed canopy, designed to shelter the fuel pumps. Advertising was once mounted on and above the roof; during the restoration, the rooftop advertising pylon was reinstated and is now illuminated at night. The pumps themselves were installed between the two pillars. An additional building was later added to the north; it is clearly visible that the curved canopy extends over only part of the structure.
Description
Nothing remains of the original garage complex, which comprised 47, and later 45, garages; the present building now occupies the site. Only the petrol station has survived and been restored. It consists of two semicircular structures with large glazed fronts, enabling staff to maintain a clear view of the forecourt. The two buildings are linked by a curved, steel-framed canopy, designed to shelter the fuel pumps. Advertising was once mounted on and above the roof; during the restoration, the rooftop advertising pylon was reinstated and is now illuminated at night. The pumps themselves were installed between the two pillars. An additional building was later added to the north; it is clearly visible that the curved canopy extends over only part of the structure.
History
Facilities of this kind were developed to serve the rise of private motoring. The parking structure for vehicles has since been demolished; only the petrol station remains, which today houses a bistro.
Construction began on 15 October 1928, and the complex opened on 30 May 1929. The operating company Minex leased the site from the railway company. Garage spaces could be rented for two Reichsmarks per day, during which time vehicles were supervised, maintained and refuelled. The developer operated the garage until 2002, after which the site was sold to the German Rail. In 2009, the entire site—then at risk of collapse—was granted heritage protection. However, following the demolition of the garages and new construction on the site in 2017, only the petrol station survived. It was extensively restored, its rooftop advertising feature reinstated, and it is now used as a bistro.
In the 1930 German film Die drei von der Tankstelle (The Three from the Petrol Station), three indebted men work at a petrol station. From minute 12:23 onwards, a contemporary station set, created for the film, can be seen.
History
Facilities of this kind were developed to serve the rise of private motoring. The parking structure for vehicles has since been demolished; only the petrol station remains, which today houses a bistro.
Construction began on 15 October 1928, and the complex opened on 30 May 1929. The operating company Minex leased the site from the railway company. Garage spaces could be rented for two Reichsmarks per day, during which time vehicles were supervised, maintained and refuelled. The developer operated the garage until 2002, after which the site was sold to the German Rail. In 2009, the entire site—then at risk of collapse—was granted heritage protection. However, following the demolition of the garages and new construction on the site in 2017, only the petrol station survived. It was extensively restored, its rooftop advertising feature reinstated, and it is now used as a bistro.
In the 1930 German film Die drei von der Tankstelle (The Three from the Petrol Station), three indebted men work at a petrol station. From minute 12:23 onwards, a contemporary station set, created for the film, can be seen.
Sources
Sources
