Früher: Villa Tip Top

Previous names: Villa Tip-Top, Haus Hindenburg

Today: Villa Elfeld

Architecture: The villa displays some Art Nouveau features. The façade is asymmetrical, and the tower has various relief-like surfaces.

Year of construction: 1906

History/owners until 1945: An advertisement in the 1911 Binz guide stated the following: “Villa Tip Top, first-class accommodation. Newly built in 1906 and furnished with every comfort.” The owner was listed as Mr. M. Markwardt.

From 1907 onwards, the villa was regularly listed in the accommodation directories. In 1912, the Elfeldt siblings bought the villa and initially kept the name “Tip Top.” In 1915, “Villa Tip Top” became “Haus Hindenburg.” Until the end of the war, Elisabeth Elfeldt ran the house as a guesthouse.

GDR era: In 1945, as in most houses, refugees were accommodated in the house, who later became “permanent tenants.” The Elfeldt guesthouse with 26 beds was still listed in the accommodation directory for the Baltic resort of Binz on the island of Rügen in the summer of 1950. (Owner: Elfeldt).

With the expropriation and later “unofficial” departure of Mrs. Elfeldt to the Federal Republic of Germany, the house was assigned to the municipality of Binz. Thus, the guesthouse became a residential building.

After 1990: After reunification, Cologne tax consultant Willi Plattes acquired the villa and had it converted into an apartment building in accordance with historic preservation requirements. Since 1997, guests have once again been staying in the house, now called “Villa Elfeld.”

Current use: Beach villa with vacation apartments

Interesting facts/anecdotes: The 1914 advertisement was even written in verse:

“Conveniently located between the ladies’ and gentlemen’s bathing areas,

Not in the loudest hustle and bustle, but close by,

Family bathing and sunbathing both not far away,

The Tip Top is a wonderful place to stay in the summer!

Elegantly furnished, electric light,

The view – you won’t find a more beautiful one.

Bright, airy rooms. – At every price.”

Photos: Beach villas in Binz, Binzer Bucht Tourismus collection, Binzer Bucht Tourismus/Christian Thiele

Text: Klaus Boy

Text: Binzer Bucht Tourismus