Chile House

Chile House was build by Henry Brarens Sloman, who had hit upon a large piece of fortune by trading saltpeter in Chile. As a mark of acknowledgment to his good fortune, Henry decided the name this office building the Chilehaus or the Chile House. The house was built on the 5,000 sq m building site and resembled a passenger ship.

In order to build his dream office that Chile House was, Henry held an architectural design competition, which was won by Fritz Hoger, also from Hamburg. It took over 4.8 million bricks to built Chile House and the building stood for a long time as a symbol of economic revival after the end of the war. Chile House soon rose to the status of one of the major landmarks in the city, second only to the ‘Michel’ Church. Chile House’s standing as a monument of great architectural achievement has endured even today.

The bricks of Chile House have a shimmering effect and reflect the change of light in the surrounding with a varying luster. Chile House looks especially beautiful at night, when it seems to capture all the light present and throws it back in an amplified form which veins out along its immensity.

Chile House has over 2,800 windows which overlook some of the most scenic places in the city. The Chile House is now equipped with all the modern amenities, which belie its beautiful yet anachronic exterior.

In 1983 Chile House in Hamburg was recognized as an architectural monument and was included in the UNESCO list of World heritage Sites.

Chile House receives a number of visitors everyday who cannot stop marveling at its architectural beauty. Chile House is one of the most photographed monuments in the entire Hambug.