Umbrella Corp #15 by Broken Window Theory, on FlickrOn a hot summer day, we wanted to visit a place that we were seeing quite often on social media the months before. We were exchanging information with another team of urban explorers and they said the only way to get on the property would be a bold jump over the fence next to a road with heavy traffic. We knew that this wouldn’t be an option for us since our credo is to stay undetected while trespassing. And actually there was another way! But this one included fighting a path through dense undergrowth.
Umbrella Corp #34 by Broken Window Theory, on FlickrThe first door that was open led us into one of the old warehouses. The shelves and cupboards were still filled with items. Okay, “filled” might be the wrong term because we’re pretty sure that thieves have already stolen a lot of the goods. Here we also discovered the first clues about the function of this industrial plant: A list with pharmaceuticals and old technical equipment to either produce or fill them. We just found an abandoned medicine factory!
Biohazard by Broken Window Theory, on FlickrHowever, we were actually more interested in the main building In the former entrance hall we made this find! We wouldn’t have thought to discover something like this inside an old medicine factory. In the past, this covered inner courtyard was probably greening quite nicely. But today everything is withered.
Outbreak by Broken Window Theory, on FlickrFrom the courtyard we were then heading to the former production halls. Around the year 1900 things looked quite different here. Instead of this factory there was a drugstore standing at the location. While experimenting around, one day a German chemist was discovering a mixture here which was able to mitigate different kinds of pain. Among others stomach trouble, nervousness as well as limb and muscle pain could be treated with the novel drug. In a small shed it was produced and exported in the whole world very soon after. The product was that popular, that this big factory complex was built until 1907, so the universal remedy could be fabricated faster and in larger quantities.
Umbrella Corp #09 by Broken Window Theory, on FlickrBut as you know it from every good story, there's a turning point after the uplift here as well. At first a fire was destroying large stocks of the inventory and after that the First World War broke out. Of 70 employees the major part had to leave. Either they were conscripted or they were laid off because of the bad economic state. After all, many foreign consumers didn't want to trade with German businesses during that period.
Floppy Disks by Broken Window Theory, on FlickrNot before German economy recovered from the massive inflation in the 1920s, the pharmaceuticals could roll off the production line again. The company started to grow and more and more different kinds of preparations were produced. Either as liquids in bottles or as cream or dragees. In the early 1930s the range of goods was expanded even more. In a new production building on the property soap, toothpaste, mouth wash and other cosmetics were prepared.
Umbrella Corp #06 by Broken Window Theory, on FlickrThe old chemical scientist who established the company, passed away shortly before the start of World War Two. His son however, who was now running the factory, was sent to the front where he also died. In his last will the staff was listed as heir of the company. But they didn't gain anything from it. Because under soviet occupation they were dispossessed and the factory which was used as sickbay during the war, was now turned into a nationally owned enterprise.
Lab by Broken Window Theory, on FlickrIn the 70s this company was absorbed by a bigger pharmaceutical group. A large state-owned enterprise from Berlin was now able to broaden its product offerings thanks to this factory. But when all the state-owned companies were privatized or liquidated after the political changes in 1989, an Italian multicorporate enterprise acquired the plant in Germany’s capital city. This operating part however was separated and from this time on it was working independently again. Around 60 employees were occupied at that moment. But the factory struggled to keep up with global competition and so the plant was shut down for good in the year 2001. Despite the long vacancy the condition of the building complex is still quite good. The reason why vandals didn't destroy the place yet is because the property was guarded for a long time. Only in the last few years the site is accessible for adventurous people.
Storage Place by Broken Window Theory, on FlickrToday the future of the over 100 year old factory is uncertain. There were thoughts about turning the former medicine factory into a shopping center. But this proposal was rejected by many people and so nothing happened to this date. In part because the site is still contaminated with inherited waste. And so, another long-standing business is sinking into insignificance. There's only one more glimmer of hope: The universal remedy which was produced here and helped with different kinds of pain, is still available today. It's fabricated in plants all over the world. So, at least the legacy is preserved till today.
Black Mold by Broken Window Theory, on FlickrAre you interested in seeing more of the clean abandoned medicine factory now? If so, please watch this documentary about the facility:
