Hanseatic values, lived in a modern way
Tradition at Gänsemarkt
The notaries at Gänsemarkt stand in a long Hanseatic tradition. Our predecessors have shaped the notary’s office at this historic location and have always placed the combination of reliability and renewal at the center of their work. We are committed to the Hanseatic legal culture just as much as to a modern, client-oriented notarial practice. Our history is rich in personalities and developments that continue to define our work at Gänsemarkt today. We are pleased to offer you an insight into our roots and the milestones that have shaped our notary’s office over the years.
History
Our Story
Foundation
1947
Our notary’s office was founded in 1947 by notaries Walther Kukuck and Hans-Werner Schacht. They laid the foundation for a firm that continues to shape the legal landscape of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg – both in private as well as in commercial and urban development matters. At that time, the notary’s office was located at Gänsemarkt 35 in the Liegenschaft building.
New Notary
1964
Dr. Hans Ernst Duve joins the firm. From 1975 to 1986, he serves as President of the Hamburg Chamber of Notaries.
New Notary
1976
Dr. Bernhard von Schweinitz joins the firm, succeeding notary Walther Kukuck. From 1992 to 1999, he serves as Vice President, and from 1999 to 2011 as President of the Hamburg Notarial Pension Fund.
Relocation
1979
Relocation of the notary’s office to the newly built Gänsemarkt Passage, Gänsemarkt 50.
New Notary
1981
Dr. Detlef Thomsen is appointed notary and joins the firm, succeeding notary Hans-Werner Schacht.
New Notary
1988
Dr. Jürgen Bredthauer is appointed notary and joins the firm. He takes over the files of notary Dr. Hans Ernst Duve, who retired for health reasons.
New Notary
1994
Dr. Andre Vollbrecht is appointed notary and joins the firm.
First Digitalization
1996
Launch of the first website “Notariat am Gänsemarkt” and introduction of e-mail communication.
New Notary
1997
Dr. Michael Commichau is appointed notary and joins the firm.
New Notary
2000
Dr. Martin Mulert is appointed notary and joins the firm.
New Notary
2008
Dr. Wolfram Radke joins the firm as successor to Dr. Bernhard von Schweinitz. The firm temporarily reaches a total of seven notaries – a number that would no longer be possible today under the current notarial regulations.
Relocation
2022
Due to the demolition of the Gänsemarkt Passage in 2022, the office relocates from its former premises at Gänsemarkt 50 to the new offices at Valentinskamp 88.
New Notary
2022
Following the enactment of the new Notarial Regulations, it was initially not possible to admit additional notaries to the firm. In 2022, Dr. Markus Perz joins as a new partner, having already served as a notary for around ten years prior.
New Notary
2024/2025
Dr. Gerrit Bulgrin initially joins the partnership as notarial administrator for the retired notary Dr. Jürgen Bredthauer, who left the office at the end of 2023. In 2025, he is appointed notary and assumes custody of the records of notary Dr. Andre Vollbrecht, who retires on August 31, 2025. This marks the next step in the generational transition of the partnership.
