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Alexanderplatz
Development as a metropolis after the foundation of the German Reich in 1871
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1871 - 1920
During the course of the 19th century, Königsvorstadt (formerly Georgenvorstadt) gradually acquired the density and appearance that it was characterised by until the large-scale destruction during the Second World War and the demolition of the post-war-years.
In line with the rapid succession of building codes, each one replacing its predecessor, mainly three-storey buildings grew up at the beginning of the 19th century, four-storey buildings in the mid-19th century and finally five-storey buildings in the latter half of the century. But it was not only the generally higher buildings but also the development of the land inside the blocks that increased the density of the area. Whilst the maps of the city in the mid-19th century show that large areas of Spandauer Vorstadt and Königsvorstadt, including land in the interior of the uninterrupted perimeter block developments, were still being used for gardens, later developments, particularly after the foundation of the German Reich in 1871, led to blocks being built on in their entirety, something which fifty years later would lead to Berlin being called "city of stone".
Despite the rapid increase in density, which took place in the space of not even a hundred years, the basic street pattern of the city had been preserved; only the bastions were demolished and the land built on. But the range of uses changed quite considerably as the city centre began to crystallise. Military activities and the large industrial production locations, such as the textile mills, were gradually elbowed out. Attracted by the proximity to the city centre, a large number of commercial and service industries began to take their place and complement the commerce and light industry that had already existed in the courtyards within the blocks in Königsvorstadt.
 Train station Alexanderplatz, 1882
The development of the area was boosted considerably when the Berlin Stadtbahn, or elevated railway, was built on the site of the moat that had been filled in and, in particular, when the station on this line opened in 1886 at Alexanderplatz.
After the moat had been filled the Königsbrücke was obsolete and was thus pulled down. Since then there is the subway crossing of the Berlin Stadtbahn connecting Alexanderplatz and Königstraße. The Königskolonnaden were located directly behind the subway crossing until they were translocated to another site.
In 1886 the new central market halls, situated on the western side of the Stadtbahn with direct connection to the railways, had been completed. Since then the open market on Alexanderplatz was abolished and re-housed in a central market hall. The rail connection allowed for trading throughout the continent and was within easy reach to many harbours. The cattle-market moved from "Ochsenmarkt" to the "Zentralviehhof" (central livestock market) between Frankfurter and Landsberger Allee.
 Statue "Berolina", 1896
In 1895, Alexanderplatz acquired its most striking landmark in the form of the colossal statue of Berolina. Emil Hunderieser had cast the 7,5 metre tall figure in bronze, and she occupied her first location on the small grassed area on the northwestern edge of Alexanderplatz in front of the 1904-05 built department store "Kaufhaus Hermann Tietz".
In 1925 the statue had to be removed due to necessary diggings for the subway-stations underneath Alexanderplatz. In 1934 the Berolina was erected again in front of the Alexanderhaus until 1944 the statue was finally melted down for the arms production.
At the end of the 19th century the northern part of Alexanderplatz, where several lines of the horse-drawn tram system already criss-crossed, developed into an uban area predominantly characterised as a traffic hub; the southern part of the square (formerly known as Paradeplatz) developed around 1889 into an ornamental square with gardens.
In the decades around the turn of the century a number of buildings were built that gave the square additional functions and thus contributed to the development of Alexanderplatz in a metropolitan scale: the Grand Hotel (1883-84), the police headquarters and the local court building (both around 1886).
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Weekly market at Alexanderplatz around the year 1885
View in eastern direction from Alexanderplatz onto the "Grand Hotel", 1894
View in western direction over Alexanderplatz onto the city centre, 1896
View from the viaduct onto Alexanderplatz, 1903
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