Chile Haus

This enormous Brick Expressionist building spans a street, the Fischertwiete. The building is famed for its top, which is reminiscent of a ship's prow, and the façades, which meet at a very sharp angle at the corner of the Pumpen and Niedernstrasse. The best view of the building is from the east. Because of the accentuated vertical elements and the recessed upper stories, as well as the curved façade on the Pumpen street, the building has, despite its enormous size, a touch of lightness. It was commissioned by the shipping magnate Henry B. Sloman, who made his fortune trading saltpeter from Chile, hence the name Chile House. The location's close vicinity to the Elbe river necessitated a specially sealed cellar, and heating equipment was constructed in a caisson that can float within the building, so the equipment can't be damaged in the event of flooding.