As expected, the Berlin House of Representatives yesterday approved the draft development plan VI-140cab for the Urbane Mitte. This means that the project has gained planning rights for the first construction phase. This marks the first step towards realisation of the entire Urbane Mitte.
On the site at the edge of the park south of the Gleisdreieck underground station in Berlin-Kreuzberg, two 25 and 49 metre high buildings with a total floor area of 23,700 square metres are being built. A hotel and areas for temporary living are planned on the upper floors. The base floors are intended to house retail, gastronomy and educational and sports-oriented facilities. Retail space is to be built on 1,000 square meters.
In addition, public services are planned on the ground floor levels with a focus on sports and meeting activities related to the park. The 16-hectare Gleisdreieck Park will be restricted and fully preserved for the population. The project is being built on a previously largely sealed area at a well-developed transport hub and will be open to the public after completion.
Dr. Simon Kempf, Managing Partner of Periskop Development GmbH: "The decision of the Berlin Senate on the further development of the Urbane Mitte at Gleisdreieck now creates the necessary planning security for one of the most important inner-city urban development projects in Berlin. After many years of intensive coordination with the state, district and other stakeholders, we can consistently push ahead with the development of this diverse quarter for work, culture, sports and encounters. Our special thanks go to Dr. Markus Vogel, who, as a development partner of the project developer with his Büro Dr. Vogel GmbH at the interface between the state of Berlin, the district of Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg and Deutsche Bahn, has played a key role in supporting and decisively advancing the complex coordination and planning processes."
Dr. Stefan Franzke, Managing Director of Berlin Partner for Business and Technology GmbH: "The decision of the Berlin Senate on the Urbane Mitte at Gleisdreieck underlines the reliability of Berlin's politics and the predictability of major urban development projects. This is an important signal for builders and investors: At the Berlin location, they can rely on long-term commitments and clear framework conditions. This strengthens confidence in our city as a stable and attractive business and investment location.
At the same time, the integration of residential and commercial housing offers in the neighbourhood opens up new opportunities in the competition for skilled workers: those who can find modern, well-connected living space in the immediate vicinity of their workplace make it easier to choose Berlin and a local company. Urban, mixed-use locations such as Urbane Mitte combine working, living and mobility – a decisive locational advantage for the capital in the international competition for talent."
A realisation competition will now be held in the near future, in which well-known architectural firms will develop their ideas for architecture and exterior planning. Construction will start as soon as possible after the building permit has been issued.
With the use now decided, the state of Berlin and the project developer Urbane Mitte besitz S. à r. l. are jointly enabling a broader mix of uses.
