The new building of the New Artillery Barracks in Schwerin, built between 1898 and 1900, forms the central element of the extended barracks area on Ostdorfer Berg. The officers' mess, located directly opposite the Residenzschloss, is characterized by its striking architecture, which combines elements of the 16th century with regional references. Today, the renovated buildings are used as part of the state library and for administrative purposes.
The new artillery barracks in Schwerin were built between 1898 and 1900 as an extension to the existing barracks area on Ostdorfer Berg. Planned by building councillor Oscar Wutsdorff from the Prussian War Ministry, the building served as accommodation for the "Grand Ducal Mecklenburg Field Artillery Regiment No. 60" and the IV. The foundation stone was laid in 1898 and the ceremonial inauguration took place on April 3, 1900 in the officers' mess.
The officers' mess stands as a representative building in the center of the complex and is surrounded by a wrought-iron fence with floral decorative elements. The three- and three-and-a-half-storey buildings of the complex are plastered and feature characteristic brick structures. They have round and arched windows as well as lunette gables reminiscent of 16th century architecture. The spiral staircase to the tower's belvedere is particularly striking and offers a magnificent panoramic view of the surrounding area.
The architecture combines various stylistic elements, including the regional references of the Schwerin city coat of arms and the High Romanesque style of the imperial cathedrals, which enabled Wutsdorff to derive his own legitimacy from imperial history. Today, after extensive restoration work, the buildings of the New Artillery Barracks are part of the State Library and serve as an administrative building.
