Kreuzberg's "Kakenkaiser-Haus": Transition to a Cooperative Residence for Kaiser
Residents Secure Kuchenkaiser House in Kreuzberg through Cooperative Effort
A long-awaited victory for the residents of the Kuchenkaiser House in Kreuzberg has finally come to pass. Located at Oranienplatz, the 26-apartment property, with entrances on Leuschnerdamm 43 and Naunynstraße 46, has been acquired by the Selbstbau eG cooperative. This purchase was announced by the district office of Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg on Tuesday.
Funding from the Senate Department for Urban Development, as part of their cooperative promotion, facilitated the acquisition. Building Senator Christian Gaebler (SPD) expressed his delight, stating that this method of support is a unique instrument nationwide. The purchase by Selbstbau eG ensures the preservation of affordable housing and provides long-term security for its residents, reports the district office.
For over a century, the ground floor of the Kuchenkaiser House played host to the renowned "Café Kuchenkaiser." Its original owner, Ulrich Fluss, passed away unexpectedly in 2023, leaving the building to a group of friends. Fluss, affectionately known as "your sweet Uli" by the tenants, valued a harmonious community within the building, rather than focusing on maximizing profits. This community-oriented approach led the house's residents to band together and collaborate with the Arbeits- und Koordinierungsstruktur Gemeinwohlorientierte Stadtentwicklung (AKS Gemeinwohl) to transfer ownership to a cooperative.
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Tenants Ursula Schröder and Peter Weber, board member of Selbstbau eG, shared their relief and gratitude upon the successful acquisition. "After two long years of hoping, worrying, stumbling, and rising again, we’ve finally triumphed," said Schröder. "Our house is saved, freed from the free market, and now safely under the control of the cooperative." Weber echoed this sentiment, praising the cooperative for securing the property at the historic site.
Urban Development Senator Florian Schmidt (Greens) hailed the purchase as an example of the feasibility of cooperative urban development and a way to break the exploitation cycle. He encouraged other house communities facing similar issues to contact the district office and AKS Gemeinwohl for potential support. "If I had my way, this example would set a precedent," he stated.
- The successful acquisition of the Kuchenkaiser House by Selbstbau eG marks a significant step in investing in affordable housing and real-estate development, as the cooperative model ensures long-term security for its residents.
- As the housing-market continues to evolve, urban developers and home-and-garden enthusiasts alike are looking towards innovative solutions for preserving affordable housing and promoting community-oriented lifestyles, such as the cooperative model demonstrated by Selbstbau eG.
- In an effort to secure a sustainable future for their community, tenants at the Kuchenkaiser House have successfully navigated the finance realm, working with cooperatives and urban development departments to bypass the free market and protect their living spaces.
