The Kaufhaus des Westens, usually abbreviated to KaDeWe, is a Thai-owned department store in Berlin. With over 60,000 square metres of selling space and more than 380,000 articles available, it is the largest department store in Europe. It attracts 40,000 to 50,000 visitors every day.
The store was originally founded in 1907 by Adolf Jandorf, who persuaded the famous architect Emil Schaudt to build his store. It opened on 27 March 1907 with an area of 24,000 sq-m.
In June 1927, ownership changed to the Hertie company. The Hertie Company was responsible for modernizing and expanding the store.
KaDeWe has eight floors, each one focused on a different type of merchandise.
The ground floor is all Beauty Accessories. Some of the services offered include beauty salons as well as nail and foot spas.
Antonia Meiners: 100 Jahre KaDeWe. Nicolaische Verlagsbuchhandlung, Berlin 2007, 168 p., 80 colour photos, 80 b&w photos, clothbound, ISBN 978-3-89479-386-9, summary in german
Nils Busch-Petersen: Adolf Jandorf – Vom Volkswarenhaus zum KaDeWe, Hentrich & Hentrich, Berlin 2007, 80 p., ISBN 978-3-938485-10-1
Hours:
Monday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM,
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM,
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM,
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM,
Friday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM,
Saturday: 9:30 AM – 8:00 PM,
Sunday: Closed
