An incredible waterside villa for sale where Churchill, Stalin and Truman carved up Europe
This must surely be one of the most extraordinary houses for sale in the world right now: a magnificently-restored villa with a place in history.


Villa Kampffmeyer was built in 1923, as the first Baroque-inspired private house in the Glienicke Bridge area of Berlin, splendidly located on the waterside and beautiful in its grandeur; it is on the market via Savills at a guide price of €23 million.
The villa's history is fascinating: it was one of the secondary locations used for the Potsdam Conference of 1945, at which Winston Churchil, Joseph Stalin and Harry Truman hammered out the post-war deal which decided the fate of Europe.
And that fate became pivotal in the history of Villa Kampffmeyer itself: the grounds were literally split between the two halves of the city established after the war, and the Berlin Wall actually ran through the gardens.
The villa must have witnessed all manner of Cold War skulduggery in and around its environs: Glienicke Bridge itself is probably better known (particularly to readers of John Le Carré and Len Deighton novels) as the Bridge of Spies, where agents of all sides passed through.
Today the whole area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, of which the villa occupies two acres. There are elegantly landscaped gardens dotted with ancient trees, and lawns rolling down to a tranquil lake, across which are exclusive views of Babelsberg Castle, the Summer residence of Emperor William I.
The villa itself was inspired by the elegance and flair of both neo-classical and baroque styles, with the external architecture epitomising its opulent past. The grand entrance portico is adorned by Ernst Vogel’s Three Graces and Mercury sculptures; on the opposite side of the villa is a multi-tiered cupola, embellished with a statue of the Greek God Hermes.
Inside there is 15,000 square feet of renovated living space which incorporates a masterfully executed fusion of traditional majesty and elegant modernity, with fantastic waterside vistas.
Sign up for the Country Life Newsletter
Exquisite houses, the beauty of Nature, and how to get the most from your life, straight to your inbox.
Central to the house is the Great Hall, complete with a classical fireplace, oak staircase, wood panelling and silk tapestry.
The library boasts direct views of the lake, and an ornate coffered golden ceiling. The floor-to-ceiling windows of the Blue Salon open onto a beautiful terrace, leading down to the rose garden.
The Music Room’s exquisite silk wall coverings and rich woodwork are particularly spectacular, whilst the Garden Room’s checkerboard pattern of original stone flooring encapsulates the elegance of the villa.
Upstairs, the Panorama Room’s waterside vistas and expansive wall space lend themselves to an exhibition space. The master bedroom, ensuite dressing room and adjacent study have breath-taking views of the lake and landscaped garden.
A highlight of the upper floor is the golden bathroom, complemented by several elegantly coloured guest rooms and two extra bathrooms.
Plans to develop additional bedrooms in the top floor of the villa and a cinema and gym in the basement have been drafted and a building permit has been issued. The basement area includes a sizeable apartment for staff use.
Villa Kampffmeyer is less than a 25 minute drive to the bustle of Berlin, Germany’s cultural cornucopia, and international airports are just 30 minutes away. The guide price is €23 million – you can see more details and pictures here.
Find more beautiful overseas property for sale with the Country Life international property search.
Brexit winners: the 5 best European cities to invest in property
A crop of international cities looks set to see a rise in demand as a result of the EU referendum,
The 10 best cities in the world to buy a property
Cities that never sleep.
Country Life is unlike any other magazine: the only glossy weekly on the newsstand and the only magazine that has been guest-edited by HRH The King not once, but twice. It is a celebration of modern rural life and all its diverse joys and pleasures — that was first published in Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee year. Our eclectic mixture of witty and informative content — from the most up-to-date property news and commentary and a coveted glimpse inside some of the UK's best houses and gardens, to gardening, the arts and interior design, written by experts in their field — still cannot be found in print or online, anywhere else.
-
'The watch is Head Boy of men’s accessorising': Ginnie Chadwyck-Healey and Tom Chamberlin's Summer Season style secrets
When it comes to dressing for the Season, accessories will transform an outfit. Ginnie Chadwyck-Healey and Tom Chamberlin, both stylish summer-party veterans, offer some sage advice.
By Country Life Published
-
Lewis Hamilton, Claude Monet and the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse: Country Life Quiz of the Day, April 29, 2025
Tuesday's Quiz of the Day looks back at Lewis Hamilton's first win and ponders on the meaning of greige.
By Toby Keel Published
-
About time: The fastest and slowest moving housing markets revealed
New research by Zoopla has shown where it's easy to sell and where it will take quite a while to find a buyer.
By Annabel Dixon Last updated
-
A wisteria clad hall built by one of the founders of the Bank of England
Come for the history of Old Hall. Stay for the interesting interiors.
By Annabel Dixon Published
-
A gorgeous Scottish cottage with contemporary interiors on the bonny banks of the River Tay
Carnliath on the edge of Strathtay is a delightful family home set in sensational scenery.
By James Fisher Published
-
Six rural properties with space, charm and endless views, as seen in Country Life
We take a look at some of the best houses to come to the market via Country Life in the past week.
By Toby Keel Published
-
380 acres and 90 bedrooms on the £25m private island being sold by one of Britain's top music producers
Stormzy, Rihanna and the Rolling Stones are just a part of the story at Osea Island, a dot on the map in the seas off Essex.
By Lotte Brundle Published
-
A home cinema, tasteful interiors and 65 acres of private parkland hidden in an unassuming lodge in Kent
North Lodge near Tonbridge may seem relatively simple, but there is a lot more than what meets the eye.
By James Fisher Published
-
A rare opportunity to own a family home on Vanbrugh Terrace, one of London's finest streets
This six-bedroom Victorian home sits right on the start line of the London Marathon, with easy access to Blackheath and Greenwich Park.
By James Fisher Published
-
A tale of everyday life as lived on Britain's most expensive street
Winnington Road in Hampstead has an average house price of £11.9 million. But what's it really like? Lotte Brundle went to find out.
By Lotte Brundle Last updated