Historic confectionery-style villa above Gera

Villa Brehme: An Architectural Masterpiece Overlooking Gera 
 

Commanding a prime position above the city and adjacent to the tranquil city forest, Villa Brehme stands as one of the most splendid buildings in Gera. Easily visible from numerous vantage points within the city, this magnificent residence is a testament to the flourishing industrial aristocracy of the late 19th century, marking an important chapter in the history of what was once Thuringia’s most significant city.
 

Constructed between 1896 and 1897, the villa was commissioned by August Brehme, a successful baker and builder in Gera. He engaged the services of the renowned local architect Fritz Köberlein to design his “little castle” on the remnants of the Pöppelner manor. Köberlein opted for a historicising architectural style, utilising an eclectic vocabulary often referred to as the “Zuckerbäckerstil” or “baker's style.” This design harmoniously blends elements of Neo-Gothic and Neo-Renaissance architecture, imparting a fairy-tale charm to the villa, which is affectionately known as the “Waldschlösschen” or forest castle by locals.
 

The villa’s grandeur extends beyond its impressive façade; the interior is equally captivating. Just 15 years after its completion, the new owner, Friedrich Mey, undertook significant renovations. For this extensive project, he engaged the prestigious Dresden architectural firm Lossow & Kühne, celebrated for their work on Leipzig’s main railway station and the Dresden theatre.
 

The current owners acquired the Beletage of this impressive villa in 2011 and have meticulously transformed the property into four generous residential apartments. Three of these residences (ranging from 146 to 188 square metres) have already been sold to a distinguished array of buyers, including a chief physician at the Wald Clinic, a family of professors from Jena, and an entrepreneurial family. Now, the most exquisite and representative maisonette apartment, forming the heart of the villa, is being offered for sale.
 

From 2012 to 2020, the villa underwent an extensive renovation. The primary aim of this restoration was to create bright, modern apartments with minimal energy consumption while preserving the original character of the villa. The developers endeavoured to adhere to the design philosophy of Lossow & Kühne, striving to restore the villa's original splendour. They combined the two upper-floor apartments into one expansive space, creating a grand staircase that leads to an impressive and airy foyer, a defining feature of the villa’s interior. This remarkable maisonette spans approximately 440 square metres and encompasses nine rooms, two bathrooms, two large terraces, and four balconies.