CallisonRTKL’s masterplan and architectural designs for the Mercedes-Platz district are brought to life this week with the opening of the new venue in Berlin.
LONDON – October 13, 2018 – The ambitious scheme has redeveloped a 20-acre site between the River Spree and the S-Bahn tracks, creating a new mixed-use destination surrounding Mercedes-Benz Arena in Friedrichshain.
Situated across from the largest remaining section of the Berlin Wall and conceived as the community’s “creative canvas,” the development will feature the Verti Music Hall, with a capacity of around 4,500, a state-of-the-art UCI movie theatre with 2,500 seats, Bowling World with 28 lanes and up to 20 cafes, restaurants and bars. It will also be home to two hotels – an Indigo Design Hotel with 118 rooms and a Hampton by Hilton Hotel with 254 rooms, and 10,000sqm of office space.
“This site represents a truly unique opportunity to bridge the city’s iconic past with a bright future,” said Ken Christian, Director in CallisonRTKL’s London office. “We believe that this new district, in the midst of Berlin’s emerging entertainment zone, will come to represent the same passion for freedom of expression that has led the city’s creative renaissance since the Berlin Wall was brought down over a quarter of a century ago.”
Creating these large, mixed-use districts, anchored by iconic entertainment/ leisure venues, is a particular specialism of CallisonRTKL, delivering projects such as The O2 in London and LA Live in Los Angeles. The success of a mixed-use project hinges on activity. The more people are walking around, using the space and engaging with it, the more it creates an inclusive atmosphere and people want to be there. Creating spaces where communities can come together, alongside major entertainment destinations such as the arena and new music venue, would ensure that the district will never ‘go dark’ and the different zones will offer varied, engaging experiences for visitors any day of the week.
The new Mercedes-Platz district connects the Mercedes-Benz Arena with the East Side Gallery and the River Spree. CRTKL developed a design that was based on the creation of activity zones, each with a distinct identity and a mix of uses. To respect the historical significance of the site, the zones steadily progress in scale and intensity, beginning with strong urban forms that become bigger and bolder closer to the arena.
“We presented CallisonRTKL with the challenge of integrating high-tech media and entertainment within a sensitive historical context,” said Alistair Wood, Executive Vice President of Real Estate and Development with AEG. “Our vision is to create a truly world-class destination which will become the heart of the community, and CallisonRTKL’s design achieves our goal and delivers amplified results.”
The waterfront zone features cafes and the East Side Gallery and is joined to a second zone by a public park that connects to hotel and office space. The park, located on the southern edge of the site closest to the remaining Wall, is designed as a calm, contemplative space for visitors and residents to reflect, relax and socialize. The architecture utilizes traditional materials, such as brick and masonry, to complement the urban streetscape.
The “Main Stage,” is where visitors will find the cinema, bowling, a plethora of dining options and a public plaza that serve as lively new surroundings for Mercedes-Benz Arena. The plaza, in particular, will animate the district in myriad ways, from fashion shows to basketball tournaments and other events. Sculptures with integrated media panels bring the area to life with lighting and digital content.
Muhlenstrasse is the main vehicular artery to the District. Visitors may access a basement-level parking garage with over 500 spaces. Visitors arriving by coach will be dropped off at Hedwig-Wachenheim Strasse. The District’s central plaza is only accessible to pedestrians.
About CallisonRTKL
CallisonRTKL is a global architecture, planning and design practice. Over the last 70 years, we have created some of the world’s most memorable and successful environments for developers, retailers, investors, institutions and public entities. Our work has set us apart as the number one retail design firm in the world and a top-five architecture practice across multiple disciplines and sectors. Under the Arcadis umbrella, we continue to expand our sphere of influence and the depth and breadth of our resources. Our team of nearly 1,700 professionals around the world is committed to advancing our clients’ businesses and enhancing quality of life. callisonrtkl.com
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