Exclusive luxury floor in historic villa above Gera

Villa Brehme: An Architectural Gem Overlooking Gera 
 

Perched majestically above the city, on the edge of a serene city forest, the Villa Brehme stands as one of Gera’s most stunning edifices. Visible from many points in the city, this magnificent property is a testament to the opulent industrial aristocracy of the late 19th century and represents a significant chapter in the history of what was once the most important city in Thuringia.

Constructed between 1896 and 1897, the villa was commissioned by August Brehme, a successful baker and builder in Gera. He chose to have the renowned local architect Fritz Köberlein design his "little castle" on the remnants of the Pöppelner manor. Köberlein embraced a historicizing architectural style, employing an eclectic vocabulary often referred to as “Zuckerbäckerstil” or “baker's style.” This design seamlessly combines elements of Neo-Gothic and Neo-Renaissance architecture, resulting in a charming structure that evokes the feel of a fairy-tale castle, which is why locals affectionately refer to it as the “Waldschlösschen” or forest castle.

The villa's grandeur extends beyond its exterior; its interior is equally captivating. Just 15 years after its completion, the new owner, Friedrich Mey, undertook extensive renovations. For this significant project, he enlisted the expertise of the prestigious Dresden architectural firm Lossow & Kühne, well-known for their work on Leipzig's main train station and the Dresden theater.

The current owners of the villa acquired the Beletage in 2011 and have meticulously transformed the property into four expansive condominiums. Three of these residences (ranging from 1,690 to 2,170 square feet) have already been sold to a variety of distinguished buyers, including a chief physician at the Wald Clinic, a family of professors from Jena, and a prominent entrepreneurial family. Now, the most exquisite and representative maisonette apartment, which is the essence of the villa, is being offered for sale.

From 2012 to 2020, the villa underwent a comprehensive renovation. The primary goal of this restoration was to create bright, modern condominiums with minimal energy consumption while preserving the original character of the villa. The developers were committed to following the design philosophy of Lossow & Kühne, striving to restore the villa’s original elegance. They combined the two upper-floor apartments into one expansive space, creating a grand staircase that leads to an impressive and well-lit foyer, a defining feature of the villa’s interior. This remarkable maisonette spans approximately 4,740 square feet and includes nine rooms, two bathrooms, two large terraces, and four balconies.