Brookfield Properties has unveiled plans for an extensive redesign of Potsdamer Platz in Berlin, aiming to create a green, pedestrian-friendly and vibrant quarter with high-quality facilities by 2025. Brookfield Properties is working closely with Berlin's Mitte district on the planning. The plans involve 4,3 hectares of urban space, located between Potsdamer Strasse, Linkstrasse and Eichhornstrasse, which also incorporates 17 large urban blocks.
The plans are designed to create modern and pedestrian-friendly recreational, green, and leisure areas with the introduction of sculptures and additional public seating. It will be the first district in Berlin to follow the “Berlin lighting concept” that combines environmental protection, safety and aesthetics. Alte Potsdamer Strasse is to be converted into a pedestrian zone with premium restaurant spaces, including outdoor service. Marlene-Dietrich-Platz will also be redeveloped, with new paving installed, additional trees planted, and the installation of a large water feature and a natural rainwater garden. The design incorporates new public places to sit along the streets, squares and on the edge of the urban Piano Lake.
Karl L. Wambach, Executive Vice President Europe at Brookfield Properties, said: “We have an ambitious vision for Potsdamer Platz. We want to open up Potsdamer Platz and create a greener space for socializing public events, and greater all-day use. We envision the entire area around Potsdamer Platz as more energetic, more attractive and a richer experience for the community, workers, and visitors that use it. Together with the architectural and urban-planning firms of Schulze+Grassov and Behnisch Architekten, we look forward to transforming this space.”
Stephan von Dassel, District Mayor of Berlin-Mitte, said: “We welcome the well-balanced plans and the owner’s deep commitment. Both the pedestrian zone and the urban development quality and sustainability concept are, in the view of the district administration, very well suited to lead Potsdamer Platz into a bright future. The multitude of measures will help to further develop Potsdamer Platz as a vibrant urban quarter and cultural location on top of the times, with great attractive pull for the borough of Mitte and the city of Berlin as a whole.”
Oliver Schulze, Co-Founder at Schulze+Grassov, elaborated: “Until now, the people of Potsdamer Platz have felt that the area is an austere and less-than-cosy urban space. The outdoor design from the 1990s doesn’t respond to their expectations and standards. We intend to address weaknesses in urban planning, architecture and landscaping while making the most of the area’s existing strengths to deliver a new urban experience that responds to the people. As an urban space, Potsdamer Platz has tremendous cultural, social and architectural significance – our plans are designed to ensure the area does justice to it.”
