Two institutions share the former Landwehrkasino, built in 1909 at the rear of Zoologischer Garten station: the Helmut Newton Foundation occupies the two lower floors, while the Sammlung Fotografie, a department of the Kunstbibliothek of the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, uses the rooms on the top floor, including the Kaisersaal, which reopened in 2010.

The Helmut Newton Foundation was established in 2003 shortly before Helmut Newton's death. The photographer left a large number of his works to it. On the first floor, items from Newton's personal possessions, films and publications introduce visitors to the life and working methods of the famous fashion and portrait photographer. On the 1st floor, changing exhibitions are shown on individual themes from Helmut Newton's work. Works by photographer June Newton aka Alice Springs and other artists are also exhibited here.

In the Kaisersaal, the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin illuminate various themes in the history of photography and present individual contemporary photographers. Accompanying exhibitions include guided tours, lectures and symposia. The first exhibition after the renovation of the hall was dedicated to the oldest genre of photography, architectural photography, with outstanding examples from the various collections of the Staatliche Museen.