The house was built in 1890 and served as a stable building for the streetcar horses of the former Hamburg harbor railroad. In the 1970s, Hafenklang, founded by Herbert Böhme, had established itself as a music studio and artists' meeting place, as the city's first 24-track studio was set up there. Udo Lindenberg, Einstürzende Neubauten, Jerry Manga and other artists recorded their first records there. Nowadays, in addition to concerts by smaller and lesser-known bands from the metal, rock, punk and electro scenes, the program also includes numerous parties. In the concert room on the second floor, the "Golden Salon", you have the possibility to eat food. The punk regulars' table also takes place there.

In 1997 the Hafenklang was saved from demolition by massive protest. In 2007 and 2008, the club moved to premises on Große Bergstraße in Altona-Altstadt due to renovations, then back to the building on Große Elbstraße, which had been extended by three floors and now also housed the "Golden Salon" and offices.