“ I feel like Berlin is a city where anything is possible, while never quite achieving polished glamor. And that's its charm. There is no steep hierarchy to enter the art scene, or any scene to be honest. And that is what we wanted to reflect here in Château Royal Berlin, this kind of openness and uniqueness.”
We’re in great company with Kirsten Landwehr, co-founder and curator of Château Royal, an enchanting and eccentric boutique hotel in the heart of Berlin Mitte, where craftsmanship and reinterpretation have revived what was once en vogue during the city's former golden ages, now adorned with contemporary art and convivial hosts.
Rooted in Berlin’s creative pulse, Kirsten and her husband, restaurateur Stephan Landwehr of Grill Royal fame, have transformed two historic buildings into a living gallery—one that celebrates design, culture, and the art of gathering. With her background in art and photography curation, Kirsten’s vision marries history and modernity with effortless elegance.
In this episode, Kirsten shares how she’s shaped Berlin’s art and hospitality scenes—revealing her philosophy on collecting, creating soulful spaces, and honoring the ever-evolving spirit of her city.
Top Takeaways
[2:00] As a child, Kirsten always dreamed of a bigger and better world. After the fall of the Berlin Wall, she decided to set out and steward that world herself.
[4:00] How Kirsten and her husband, Stephan, with their shared appreciation for Berlin's creative energy and culinary artistry, fed and fueled the birth of Berlin’s contemporary art scene through their cult classic restaurant, Grill Royal.
[7:00] Hear the turbulent history of two historic buildings in the heart of Berlin Mitte, steps away from the Brandenburg Gate—from being the center of the Golden Twenties to falling into disrepair after WWII, from being used for surveillance during the GDR to housing the studios of squatting artists after the Berlin Wall.
[9:00] As Kirsten and Stephan breathed new life into these buildings, curating what would become Château Royal Berlin, they set out to create a space that was “decidedly cosmopolitan, yet unimaginable in any other city.”
[10:20] Today, Château Royal Berlin is full of life and conviviality—as locals and travelers, artists and guests, fill the space with their own perspectives and fresh ideas.
[11:45] With 93 guest rooms to design and a deep personal determination that no two would be the same, Kirsten invited her artist community to fill their spaces. What then became #93Rooms93Artists, was a permanent home for these artists to proudly showcase their work, host their own guests and welcome in new friends.
[14:30] At Restaurant Château Royal, a creative menu and curated atmosphere proves food can be fancy while still being familiar and fresh.
Notable Mentions
Director Edward Berger
Artist & Art Collector Damien Hirst
Château Royal’s Guide to Berlin
