Karl-Marx-Allee 34 (south side)
Construction period: 1961–1964
Architecture: Josef Kaiser with Horst Bauer
Wall mosaic: Bert Heller
Pavilion with an atrium – light-suffused by day and luminous by night
The former Restaurant Moscow demonstrates a fascinating level of architectural transparency and lightness.
The corner building’s design is masterful: its reinforced concrete lattice structure appears to levitate, bridging the divide between interior and exterior. The subtle shades of Bert Heller’s mural entitled ‘From the life of the peoples of the Soviet Union’ are highly impactful.
The faithful replica of the ‘Sputnik’ satellite above the roof is a special highlight. It was a gift to the GDR from Pyotr Abrasimow, the then ambassador of the Soviet Union, on the occasion of the building’s opening ceremony on 15 January 1964.
Inside, it once housed airy rooms with modern furnishing for the sale of arts and crafts, as well as for exhibitions and a Russian national cuisine restaurant, a wine tavern, a concert café and a bar. The Georgian tea house featured a folklore-inspired design.