Overview

The 'Red City Hall' is how Berliners refer to their town hall. Seat of the Mayor and the Senate since reunification in 1990, the building was also home to East Berlin's local government in the GDR era, although the name actually stems from the reddish colour of its walls rather than from the political leanings of its politicians! Built in 1861-69 by H. F. Waesemann, the design reflects a strong Tuscan influence. Two years after building work was completed, Germany was unified by Kaiser Wilhelm I. Consequently, Berlin became the capital of Germany and its new city hall, the supreme administrative building.