The former Soldatenheim, a recreational facility for soldiers, in Hohenlockstedt (formely known as Lockstedter Lager) was built in 1911 by the Norddeutscher Männer- und Jünglingsbund and opened in 1912. It was designed by the German architect Fritz Höger who later gained recognition for designing the “Chilehaus” in Hamburg. The Soldatenheim served as space a for recreation, education and socialising for soldiers and non-commissioned officers who were stationed in the Lockstedter Lager for military training and education. There were dining and reading rooms, guest rooms, bathrooms, bowling alleys and sports facilities in the garden. The big hall was used as a restaurant, as well as for lectures and gatherings.

The building maintained its original function as a recreational centre until the end of the First World War. After the closure of the Lockstedter Lager in 1919 it was first used as a care facility for the elderly and infirm, from 1925 to 1962 as a church, and since then as a mixed residential and commercial space with restaurants and bars on the ground floor. In the 1960s, an additional storey was built into the big hall. For a short period, a dine-in movie theatre was installed on this new floor, followed by a party venue. In 1990, the building was listed as a historic monument.

The Arthur Boskamp-Stiftung acquired the former Soldatenheim in 2018 and is renovating the building in line with monument preservation guidelines. After completion, the building will accommodate the artist residency program holo:deck, including guest apartments and studios spaces, as well as four apartments for long-term rent. The big hall will be used by the foundation and the municipality and will also be available for rent for private events. The former kitchen space in the basement is to be turned into a café.

The former Soldatenheim in Hohenlockstedt is an example of the architecture of the so-called Heimatschutz movement, an anti-modernist movement of the early 20th century that sought to preserve regional culture and traditions, and, as for architecture, to generally maintain a ‘German character’. Fritz Höger later became a staunch supporter of National Socialism, joining the NSDAP as early as September 1932. He remained a successful architect throughout the Nazi era, although his architectural style was not approved by the party. For more information about Fritz Höger, see here.