Former building of the Federal Alcohol Administration

About the building

At the corner of Länggassstrasse and Bühlstrasse a massive entrance projection stands diagonally to the junction, with two wings branching off from it. The three-storey rendered building is richly articulated in sandstone and has a fully converted mansard hipped roof. Above the main door a balcony with a curved balustrade rests on playful brackets, and above that a pediment with strapwork and an upright oval window closes the projection. The wing on Bühlstrasse is framed by two side projections with pavilion roofs.

The client was the Federal Buildings Directorate. The city's building inventory dates the house to 1903 and names Ernst Hünerwadel as architect; the art guide of the Society for the History of Swiss Art names the practice Lindt und Hünerwadel and the years 1903 to 1904. According to Wikipedia, however, Paul Lindt and Hünerwadel ran their joint office only until 1899. The heritage office sees in its forms a rare and successful union of neo-baroque and Art Nouveau. Particularly fine are the strapwork crowns over the first-floor windows, around which the window frame mouldings curve softly.

Under the roof, the coved soffit carries ornamental painting in Art Nouveau style. Inside, the art guide describes an entrance hall and staircase with floral floor mosaics and stained-glass windows. The boundary wall was added in 1909. The facades were renovated in 1983/84; in 1993/94 the interior was restored and a modern extension built next door, both by Rolf Mühlethaler.

The Alcohol Administration had its seat here until 2017/2018. At the beginning of 2018 it was merged into what is now the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security, whose alcohol unit has since worked from Delémont. Look for the diagonally placed rear entrance on the courtyard side, which rounds off the building with its own raised top. The building is a cultural property of national importance and part of the Vordere Länggasse building group.

Researched and summarised by Bärn Kit. Sources: Bauinventar der Stadt Bern: Länggassstrasse 31 · KGS-Inventar, Objektbeschreibung GSK-Kunstführer: Eidgenössische Alkoholverwaltung (KGS 8984) · Wikipedia (de): Eidgenössische Alkoholverwaltung · Wikipedia (de): Paul Lindt · Wikidata: Q19362475