History has always been written on this site on the banks of the Havel. Particularly impressive: the urban character of the citadel and the access to the water. Added to this are the character of the campus and the architectural solidity of the existing buildings. They are a visible part of an inspiring history. This goes back to the 18th century, when the site was named the location of the "Königliche Preußische Gewehrfabrique", founded in March 1772 by Friedrich Wilhelm I - the oldest rifle manufactory in Prussia.

Under the direction of the German Army Workshops, a wide variety of workshop and commercial buildings, production facilities, official residences and gardens were built in the following years. The use of the site for armaments production was discontinued at the end of the First World War in accordance with the provisions of the Treaty of Versailles. This was accompanied by the demolition of all buildings associated with the manufacture of weapons. In December 1919, civilian use began: the property was transferred to Deutsche Werke AG and production was switched to civilian goods such as windows, household appliances, construction vehicles, etc. In the course of 1931, groups of buildings were sold to a manufacturer of stamp machines, stamping machines and ticket validators. Additionally, in 1931, parts of the site were sold to a laundry entrepreneur who ran his successful industrial laundry and linen factory on-site until 1992.

The buildings at Zitadellenweg 20 E and 20 G were listed as historic monuments in 1995. This also includes the oldest surviving building on the campus: the "Alte Kantine", a solid brick building dating from 1845.