Previous names: The name “Villa Freia” has been retained since the hotel opened.

Architecture: In the book “Pommersche Bäderarchitektur” (Pomeranian Spa Architecture) by Wolfgang Schneider & Torsten Seegert, the building is described as follows: This building, with its richly structured façade facing the promenade, was designed as a three-story solid structure. The front of the building facing the beach promenade can be divided into three main sections: to the south, there is a single-axis corner risalit construction, whose towering roof clearly dominates the rest of the building. … To the north, this risalit is adjoined by a slightly recessed central building. … The view of the beach promenade is completed by a two-axis loggia construction that opens onto the water. Here, too, the structure is topped by a gabled roof. … Due to the renovation work carried out, the building now presents a changed appearance: the entire front has been freed of loggias and forms a closed complex, which is broken up by plaster bosses at the edges of the building. The arrangement of the window axes and the color accents of individual areas reveal the old structure. The tower dome on the left side of the building was rebuilt during recent renovation work; unlike the historical version, it is now covered with copper sheet metal. …

Year of construction: Around 1897

History/owners until 1945: In the 1925 Binz guidebook “Praktische Winke” (Practical Tips), the house was described as follows: Villa Freia. Elegant, quiet house. Located directly on the beach opposite the family baths and in close proximity to the warm baths. Large, airy, comfortably furnished rooms with verandas. With and without board. Discounted prices in the early and late seasons. Rooms for travelers passing through. Please enclose return postage for inquiries. Attn: Mrs. A. Fischer

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

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

GDR era: During the GDR era, the house was used as a company vacation home by the Berlin Housing Construction Combine.

After 1990: After 1990, the building underwent extensive renovation. Vacation homes and apartments were created. A restaurant was built in the flat extension.

Current use: Vacation homes and apartments as well as a restaurant

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

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