The shell construction for the residential project “Palais Varnhagen” in the centre of Berlin has been completed. The building comprises 50 apartments and two commercial units on a site, which has remained undeveloped since World War II. The architecture is inspired by the typology of the ‘Hôtel particulier’, a building form originally prevalent in Paris. In keeping with this historic archetype, a deep recess from the second storey upwards opens up the building to the street, creating a U-shape facing the south and providing optimum daylight conditions for all apartments. The building is due for completion by the end of this year.