Villa Freia

Villa Freia

Ostseebad Binz
Strandpromenade 17

Former house names: The house name “Villa Freia” has been retained from the opening until today.

Architecture: In the book “Pommersche Bäderarchitektur” by Wolfgang Schneider & Torsten Seegert, the house is described as follows: This building, richly structured on the promenade side, has been designed as a three-storey solid construction. The house front facing the promenade can be divided into three main parts: Towards the south, there is a single-axis corner projection with a roof that rises up and significantly overhangs the rest of the building. … To the north, this corner projection is followed by a slightly recessed central section. … The view from the promenade ends in a two-axis loggia construction that is open towards the water. Here, too, the top is closed off by a gabled roof. … Due to the reconstruction work that has been carried out, the building presents itself in a modified state: the entire front has been freed of the loggias and forms a closed complex, which is broken up at the edges of the building by plaster bosses. The arrangement of the window axes and the color accentuation of individual areas reveal the old structure. The tower dome on the left part of the building was rebuilt during the most recent renovation work; in contrast to the historical condition, it is now covered by copper sheet. …

Built: Around 1897

History/owner until 1945: In the 1925 Binz guide “Praktische Winke” (practical tips), the house was described as follows: Villa Freia. Elegant, quiet house. Located directly on the beach, opposite the family pool and in close proximity to the warm baths. Large, airy, comfortably furnished rooms with verandas. With and without board. Reduced prices in the off-season. Rooms for transients. For inquiries, return postage. Note: Mrs. A. Fischer

Three years later, a communal dining room with single tables was also listed.

According to the Binz travel guide (“Praktische Winke” from 1935), there was also a new owner in the mid-1930s: M. Tetens, who recommended the Villa Freia as an elegant and quiet house.

GDR era: During the GDR era, the house was used as a company holiday home by the Berlin housing construction combine.

After 1990: After 1990, the building was extensively renovated. Holiday apartments were created. A restaurant was set up in the flat annex.

Present use: holiday apartments and studios, restaurant

Interesting facts/anecdotes: Freia is the name of a Germanic goddess who also plays a role in the opera “Das Rheingold” by Richard Wagner.

Photos: Binzer Bucht Tourismus collection, Lutz Grünke, Binzer Bucht Tourismus/Christian Thiele

Text: Binzer Bucht Tourismus