Kaufhaus des Westens

You are standing in front of the iconic Kaufhaus des Westens, opened in 1907 by Jewish entrepreneur Adolf Jandorf to serve Berlin’s elite. That same year, King Chulalongkorn of Siam visited the department store and spent more than 250,000 marks. Jandorf was later appointed honorary consul of Siam in Berlin. During World War II, a British bomber crashed into the roof, sparking a major fire. Two floors reopened in 1950; by 1956 the entire building was restored. On reopening day, around 180,000 people visited — KaDeWe became a symbol of postwar economic recovery.

In the 1920s, Berliners encountered lemons here for the first time. The fish department was paneled in marble, and the product range was considered revolutionary. Today, the store spans 60,000 square meters over eight floors. Up to 50,000 visitors come each day, with peaks of 200,000 during the holidays. The famous sixth floor, opened in 1978, is the second-largest food hall in any department store worldwide. Luxury bars, restaurants, personal shopping lounges, beauty zones, and limousine service are part of the experience.