Chilehaus

　　For most visitors, the most striking building in Hamburg isn’t the Town Hall, but the Chilehaus located in the southern business district. It’s a ten-story office building that was originally a typical brick structure from the 1920s. The reason it’s called the Chilehaus is because one of the shareholders did business with a Chilean merchant who made a fortune importing saltpeter from Chile—hence the name of the building.

　　The Chilehaus was built between 1922 and 1924 and is the most notable work of architect Fritz Höger. It is considered a prime example of commercial architecture in Hamburg’s history. Covering an area of about 6,000 square meters across ten floors, the building is constructed with nearly five million dark-colored Oldenburg bricks. The use of red bricks not only signifies the revival of Germany’s red-brick architectural style but also reflects the designer’s thoughtful intent.

　　The building has an overall reddish-brown exterior, with staggered balconies resembling the decks of a ship, while its curved walls echo the shape of a ship’s bow. Its most distinctive feature is the sharp triangular façade design, which has amazed many visitors. However, what most tourists love most is viewing the building from its eastern side, where its most beautiful facade can be seen. Visitors to Hamburg must not miss this magnificent structure. Additionally, the Chilehaus is currently being considered for UNESCO World Heritage status.

　　Chilehaus Must-visit reason: The most iconic building in Hamburg’s business district Continent: Europe【Europe】 Country/Region: Germany[Germany] State/Province: Hamburg State [Hamburg] City: Hamburg [Hamburg]