Ernst-August-Carree

Ernst-August-Carree stands beside Hanover’s main station in the Mitte district as a historic, protected building complex. Berlin architect Friedrich Hitzig designed the complex for railway administration. Built in the late nineteenth century, it originally housed the Royal Railway Directorate of Hanover. The building encloses broad wings around a courtyard. Yellow brickwork, red bands, sandstone framing, and projecting corner risalites define the exterior. A continuous cornice crowns the upper floor. The Joachimstraße wing appears as a reconstructed replica, while the preserved clinker-brick facade retains its sandstone details. A glass roof covers the Mediterranean-style courtyard. The complex combines a shopping centre, offices, shops, retail businesses, and restaurants. Deutsche Bahn occupies much of the upper floors. After railway directorates used the building, renovations preserved its solid stone and concrete walls, floors, and ceilings. Large letters spell ERNST-AUGUST-CARREE above the building. Ground-floor entrances connect the complex with its shops and courtyard.