The building

 

The Kant-Garagenpalast at Kantstraße 127 is a genuine piece of Berlin architectural history. Built in 1929–1930 in the New Objectivity style, it is the oldest surviving multi-story car park in Europe with a double spiral ramp – and the only multi-story car park in the world with a curtain wall. Until 2017, the listed building was actually still used as a garage, without interruption for over 87 years.

The supporting structure consists of reinforced concrete, the façade facing Kantstraße is clad with sand-gray clinker brick slips, while the rear side is completely glazed. Inside, the iconic spiral ramps and the characteristic sliding doors of the individual garage boxes dominated the picture.

Starting in 2017, the historic building was carefully renovated and converted into an office, event, and gallery building—always in close consultation with the Berlin State Office for the Preservation of Historical Monuments. The striking curtain wall was reconstructed and renewed with modern glazing. The spiral ramp, which is a listed historical monument, was structurally preserved.

Today, the Kant-Garagenpalast combines history and the present: with co-working spaces, offices, a gallery, and an exclusive event hall on the 5th floor, the historic building has become a lively place in the heart of Charlottenburg.