In 1996 Galeries Lafayette made the leap from Paris to the Spree. The first German branch was built on the Friedrichstrasse and on the corner of the Französische Strasse. The Parisian store had its sights set to be on Berlin’s map from the beginning. After endless pulling down of buildings, building works, digging and restoration, on the new Friedrichstrasse was also a new glossy building. Jean Nouvel’s glass temple with his main tenants Galeries Lafayette was the first noticeable symbol for the Friedrichstadt Passages and an early sign of hope for other houses and shops to follow.

In 2006 Galeries Lafayette celebrated its 10 year anniversary in Berlin.

[Via www.galerieslafayette.de website]