Hanse Haus has always been a place where people come together.

A classic from the outset

After the cholera epidemic of 1892, the senate of Hamburg led by Mayor Johann Georg Mönckeberg resolved to demolish the Gängeviertel district in the eastern part of the old town and extensively redesign it, complete with a 30-metre wide shopping precinct above the underground railway line between Rathausmarkt and Hauptbahnhof Süd. The street was named after Mönckeberg and opened to traffic in 1909. This coincided with a period of urban development and marked Hamburg's progression into modernity, both in architectural and functional terms. Building construction at the time reflected the trend towards separating commercial functions from residential space, and the city directly influenced its design through zoning regulations and a commission of experts.

Hanse Haus was built in 1911-12 by the Selig brothers (known as Sally) and Emil Daniel Feldberg with retained architects Franz Bach and Otto Westphal. It is a typical example of the Hamburg office buildings of that era. During a meeting of the building commission when Hanse Haus was built, it was emphasised that Hamburg’s oldest buildings once stood in its place. Today, the remains of the foundations of the Bishop’s Tower can still be viewed in a showroom nearby. 

After suffering severe damage during the Second World War, Hanse Haus was rebuilt during the post-war period, taking functional requirements into account. Some elements, such as the triangular gable and mansard roofs, were replaced by more contemporary design elements.

Following its restoration in the mid-1950s, the building is now owned by the subsequent generations of the same families who constructed it, along with family-related, non-profit charitable foundations that work together to ensure stability, diversity and continuous change in its fifth generation. 

The owner families embody forward-looking, cross-generational thinking and embrace their social responsibility. On the one hand, this is reflected through their regular support of charitable organisations committed to social issues and, on the other, in their deep appreciation for the preserved historical essence of Hanse Haus. 

Some of the particularly valued details include the original banisters and the striking central reception hall, in which the destroyed historical wall mural has been lovingly replaced by a sculptural representation of a sailboat cog, a symbol of Hanseatic seafaring and commercial tradition.

The history of Hanse Haus

Throughout its long history, the striking Hanse Haus building has weathered turbulent times, constantly adapting to meet the changing requirements of its tenants and users. Stopping just short of complete destruction, the building suffered severe damage during the Second World War and was rebuilt in the immediate post-war period. Since then, it has been continuously updated.

The building has always maintained a harmonious balance between traditional stores and trend-setting new concepts, which ensures it remains attractive and relevant. This flexibility is also reflected in the buildings constant adaptation to the ever-changing dynamics of Mönckebergstrasse and Hamburg's city centre.

Even from an early stage, it was already clear how important and fruitful the combination of different medical facilities was for the building – which is why healthcare continues to form an integral part of the portfolio today. The transition from traditional commercial offices to modern working spaces characterises the ongoing transformation of Hanse Haus from its historic past to a forward-looking use fit for the future.

With ownership come obligations

For more than 100 years, Hanse Haus has been managed by Max Miehlmann & Sohn, a partnership with the owner families that goes back to the building’s very beginnings. This quintessentially Hanseatic tradition of management is reflected in consistent commercial management based on a solid common foundation of building ownership, use and management – sustainability in the truest sense of the word that has been practised for many years. This trusting collaboration between the various parties plays a pivotal role in ensuring that Hanse Haus continues to be a visible, lively and dynamic hub at the heart of Hamburg. For tenants, having an on-site property management company means short distances and rapid assistance whatever the issue. 

Personal contact instead of anonymous administration is a key factor in the long-standing success of Hanse Haus – many tenants have remained loyal to the building for many years, and in some cases for decades. The animal feed retailer Hussmann & Hinz, for instance, has been here since 1954, Dr Wegner's dermatology practice since 1987 and men’s outfitter BRAUN Hamburg since 1952. Each of the tenants thus shape Hanse Haus in their own individual way. With their companies, shops, offices and medical practices, they fill Hanse Haus with life and make their own valuable contribution, without which the building’s unique neighbourhood and constant further development would never be possible.