Chilehaus

Built in 1924, the Chilehaus is the defining example of German Brick Expressionism and the architectural centerpiece of Hamburg's Kontorhausviertel office district. Architect Fritz Höger gave the building's east facade a razor-sharp prow shape, deliberately evoking an ocean liner to honor Hamburg's identity as a global trading port. The client, merchant Henry Brarens Sloman, had made his fortune in Chilean saltpeter — hence the building's name, a monument to a commodity trade that no longer exists. Since 2015, the Chilehaus has been part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site together with the Sprinkenhof and Meßberghof. The courtyard with its Expressionist ceramic reliefs and the public stairwells are freely accessible, making it one of the few World Heritage sites visitors can explore without paying admission.

Fritz Höger's 1924 office building shaped like a ship's bow, 4.8 million bricks — UNESCO heritage.