![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4PU5S2CVQ5BGNG4A247WNA3SAM.jpg?smart=true&auth=5a4d02d45171868435366dacce764302ba9b2c8e6ac172742971d1bf8153f3aa&width=400&height=225)
The construction site for KaDeWe in 1905. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GSJAU5RTY6U5V5A6SKYGS3HBKM.jpg?smart=true&auth=66187aa983d93b498faf049c185ad0062fb0964232af043488738169895d8067&width=400&height=225)
The Kaufhaus des Westens department store, or KaDeWe, in Berlin, Germany. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JR7JD2U3LVGPFECYQNBSZL7YZA.jpg?smart=true&auth=8a0f3a1ada0c6ddbc82b5de14ae088834c1a5eba7cdd77c2299dd3065b2f1ddc&width=400&height=225)
Masked customers in the store on the first day KaDeWe fully reopened during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5J66I3UVPJDCXH2DBZUM2HPGFQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=c231bddedc9c4f4a32d9f81c49edef98d1286aa5817ddc8baf8902d11b923cee&width=400&height=225)
A fashion display at KaDeWe in 2017. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IRQXRTNM5BGRHNGNV5DRAE2B5E.jpg?smart=true&auth=3af4ca84e7783d3def3b6a4674feb74aadcda5b7900b8881f821e661122f0955&width=400&height=225)
The luxurious interior of KaDeWe in 2009. The store opened on Berlin's Wittenberg Platz in 1907. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HYK3EYNHD5CDDPZKZ55IE5W6WA.jpg?smart=true&auth=fc463302983b6558fc1d6e6a38bf110f5b408f2ca33127b4964eb441aa38560a&width=400&height=225)
KaDeWe staff stage a vigil for jobs in 2009. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LEVUNENVAFCETHYV7MPBWSAATM.jpg?smart=true&auth=05754e4043a2ebc199e98119c663ca2656fe2e34ef93ec3c197c0e01ea9b2d90&width=400&height=225)
A shopper at KaDeWe, which has become a major tourist destination in the German capital. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KZEZBHHVR5H3XI4S5R55HA3N6Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=b6af016d9a23673a699d3b97ee5099bf3111dd98720bf7e9308f8badb128eec5&width=400&height=225)
An exterior shot of KaDeWe in 2008. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UINDD3PAZRGL3EPIJE76QEELCY.jpg?smart=true&auth=1f00f565669a2c30dd5096edcd5ccbd333c3b43514f45cd1adc057fa02fb077a&width=400&height=225)
Christmas shoppers at KaDeWe in 2007. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4WN5W5DXINCQHPJIMEZ6RJDQMM.jpg?smart=true&auth=f32bb81adbfc2745823421a1cf44c34e044200e2cd9f8a0f096525c4c780108f&width=400&height=225)
An aerial view of the store in 1998. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PMV7QO47AZDUTGDEJ3ARHTDTPE.jpg?smart=true&auth=1cb40a60629ffd01d9b20abcd18806cf510c6805d29eb01923e7ff874bf07a60&width=400&height=225)
Shoppers browsing in KaDeWe in 1972. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4PU5S2CVQ5BGNG4A247WNA3SAM.jpg?smart=true&auth=5a4d02d45171868435366dacce764302ba9b2c8e6ac172742971d1bf8153f3aa&width=400&height=225)
The construction site for KaDeWe in 1905. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GSJAU5RTY6U5V5A6SKYGS3HBKM.jpg?smart=true&auth=66187aa983d93b498faf049c185ad0062fb0964232af043488738169895d8067&width=400&height=225)
The Kaufhaus des Westens department store, or KaDeWe, in Berlin, Germany. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JR7JD2U3LVGPFECYQNBSZL7YZA.jpg?smart=true&auth=8a0f3a1ada0c6ddbc82b5de14ae088834c1a5eba7cdd77c2299dd3065b2f1ddc&width=400&height=225)
Masked customers in the store on the first day KaDeWe fully reopened during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5J66I3UVPJDCXH2DBZUM2HPGFQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=c231bddedc9c4f4a32d9f81c49edef98d1286aa5817ddc8baf8902d11b923cee&width=400&height=225)
A fashion display at KaDeWe in 2017. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IRQXRTNM5BGRHNGNV5DRAE2B5E.jpg?smart=true&auth=3af4ca84e7783d3def3b6a4674feb74aadcda5b7900b8881f821e661122f0955&width=400&height=225)
The luxurious interior of KaDeWe in 2009. The store opened on Berlin's Wittenberg Platz in 1907. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HYK3EYNHD5CDDPZKZ55IE5W6WA.jpg?smart=true&auth=fc463302983b6558fc1d6e6a38bf110f5b408f2ca33127b4964eb441aa38560a&width=400&height=225)
KaDeWe staff stage a vigil for jobs in 2009. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LEVUNENVAFCETHYV7MPBWSAATM.jpg?smart=true&auth=05754e4043a2ebc199e98119c663ca2656fe2e34ef93ec3c197c0e01ea9b2d90&width=400&height=225)
A shopper at KaDeWe, which has become a major tourist destination in the German capital. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KZEZBHHVR5H3XI4S5R55HA3N6Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=b6af016d9a23673a699d3b97ee5099bf3111dd98720bf7e9308f8badb128eec5&width=400&height=225)
An exterior shot of KaDeWe in 2008. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UINDD3PAZRGL3EPIJE76QEELCY.jpg?smart=true&auth=1f00f565669a2c30dd5096edcd5ccbd333c3b43514f45cd1adc057fa02fb077a&width=400&height=225)
Christmas shoppers at KaDeWe in 2007. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4WN5W5DXINCQHPJIMEZ6RJDQMM.jpg?smart=true&auth=f32bb81adbfc2745823421a1cf44c34e044200e2cd9f8a0f096525c4c780108f&width=400&height=225)
An aerial view of the store in 1998. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PMV7QO47AZDUTGDEJ3ARHTDTPE.jpg?smart=true&auth=1cb40a60629ffd01d9b20abcd18806cf510c6805d29eb01923e7ff874bf07a60&width=400&height=225)
Shoppers browsing in KaDeWe in 1972. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4PU5S2CVQ5BGNG4A247WNA3SAM.jpg?smart=true&auth=5a4d02d45171868435366dacce764302ba9b2c8e6ac172742971d1bf8153f3aa&width=400&height=225)
The construction site for KaDeWe in 1905. Getty Images