Founded in 1990, the Schokoladen is one of the earliest cultural projects in post-wall East Berlin. Although not as famous as the now-extinct Tacheles and the Haus Schwarzenberg, it is well known and established among a steady public that frequents its exhibitions, lectures, performances, music events, and courtyard parties. It is located on a quiet block on Ackerstraße, in Mitte.

The building was a Mietskaserne with a typically ornate façade, now weathered and altered by graffiti, posters, artwork, etc. Originally a squat, the Schokoladen became a legal tenant to a private landlord. However, as the trendiest art scene eventually moved to what was previously a fringe of Mitte, around Brunnenstraße, the area around the Schokoladen came into the center field of vision for developers, and the building landlord made plans to evict the cultural centers and redevelop the site. The Schokoladen fought a long battle against eviction.

In 2012, the association won the fight. The government facilitated the purchase of the building by the Edith-Maryon Foundation, a Swiss organization that supports art, cultural, and residential projects. The Foundation gave control of the building to the Schokoladen association through a lease in perpetuity. The Schokoladen association was granted not only the right to remain in the building, but the responsibility to do necessary maintenance and renovation works.