The Happy Go Lucky Hostel at Stuttgarter Platz Photo: Olaf Wagner
By Pauline von Pezold
The facade of the “Happy Go Lucky” hostel on Stuttgarter Platz has become a Charlottenburg landmark thanks to its street art painting. But now it’s clear: the owner must paint the colorful walls gray or beige – by October 1 at the latest.
Rationale of the district: Because the colorful house obscures the view of a nearby listed house and thus defaces the townscape, the work of art by Irish artist Dom Browne is to be painted over in the inconspicuous colors gray or beige. Absolutely incomprehensible to the owner of the hostel, Alexander Skora.
Works by the artist Jourdan Dorn (29) adorn the interior walls of the hostel. “I think that the artwork on the facade of the building represents Berlin – that’s why it shouldn’t be removed. Berlin is such an artistic city and everyone should feel free to express themselves here. In my opinion, the justification given by the district office as to why the façade should be painted over is stupid.” Photo: Olaf Wagner
In a letter from the district office of Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf, which the BZ has received, Skora was informed that he still had until October 1 “for the automatic and complete implementation of the official decision”. If he does not follow up, the office wants to initiate enforcement at Skora’s expense.
“Let’s see if there’s a happy-go-lucky ending,” says owner Alexander Skora Photo: private
The ultimatum appears to be the end of years of legal battles over the building’s façade. At first it was said that the lettering “HappyGoLuckyHearts” on the top floor of the building was “inadmissible advertising”, later the disfigurement of the townscape by the “screamingly colorful” facade was given as the reason.
Yosef Kaminsky (36) was also involved in designing the interior walls of the hostel. “I find it very sad that the facade is to be painted over. I have a feeling it’s more for personal reasons. The building brings so much color to the streets and it should stay that way.” Photo: Olaf Wagner
However, the owner Alexander Skora still leaves open whether he will accept the verdict. “Let’s see if, like the neverending story, after that there’s no more facade or a happy-go-lucky ending,” he says.