Article from the BZ dated October 30, 2004:
"Zeesen: The great actor Gustav Gründgens once resided here (played Mephisto in Faust in the 1930s). But his vacant building in Zeesen has been falling into disrepair for many years. Rescue is finally in sight - of all the former occupiers!
Ten o'clock yesterday: For the first time since 1999, the 40,000-square-meter property on Lake Zeesen has been reopened - for a unique encounter. Owners, former occupiers, mayors and architects wanted to get an idea ...
... and that was a very sad one: The castle has deteriorated into ruins. Wild growth on the big stairs, broken windows, collapsed walls, ramshackle roof, electronics and plumbing destroyed "Best to tear down," calls a local. But that is exactly what should be prevented. Because the great history of the once idyllic property is worth preserving. It was built over 300 years ago by Elector Friedrich III. (1657-1713), later given away to his son Friedrich Wilhelm I (soldier king). After several changes of ownership, Gustav Gründgens (1899-1963) bought it for 58,000 Reichsmarks in 1934, lived here with his wife Marianne Hoppe (1909-2002). In GDR times a children's home, occupied by young people for ten years after Wende and then cleared.
"Due to the structural condition, we have not found any serious interested parties," says owner Manfred Wolff. Now the former occupiers want to make the castle a cultural center as the "Splirtz" association. "Splirtz" spokeswoman Anne Heese, 24: "We are looking for sponsors, have also applied for funding". Stefan Ludwig, 37, PDS, Mayor in Königs Wusterhausen: "If the financing works, it can be a good project."
Not much has happened to this day (June 2020) !!