He prospered during his 18 years in Altona and Hamburg, with a private practice that made up for the meager earnings he made in his official position. He built fine houses for the well-to-do, both in town and out in the country, estates on Elbchaussee, and small churches. He designed many fine houses along Altona's elegant boulevard Palmaille, including some investment houses at his own expense, which helped boost his earnings substantially when sold. He used a simple Roman Palladio-style in his work.