Fabian Stapel (TLM), Laura Stroszeck (Hillig Architekten), Thomas Hillig (Hillig Architekten), Georg Schmidthals (GRAFT), Julian Breinersdorfer (JBA), Kim Le Roux (LXYS), Barbara Sellwig (TLM), Nurcan Sahin (TLM), Anne Hommerich (KSP), Catalina Jardón (KSP), Cornelia Kohlhaupt (TLM), Thomas Willemeit (GRAFT)
Seated (left to right)
Wiebke Ahues (LXSY), Valerie Kerz (LAVA), Heskel Nathaniel (TLM), Danielle Shapira (TLM), Hannes Meisehen (KSP), Sergei Tchoban (TVA), Almut Grüntuch-Ernst (Grüntuch Ernst)
Photo © Trockland / Noam Rosenthal
The vision of the ambitious “Funkytown” project development by Berlin project developer Trockland on around 50,000 sqm gross floor area in the Treptow-Koepenick district is to revitalize the hotspot for creative industries, music, culture, events and entertainment on the former site of the GDR radio station. The creative quarter is located at Rummelsburger Landstrasse 34-62, in the immediate vicinity of Funkhaus Berlin at the Spree, in the south-eastern district of Oberschoeneweide, which is also being redeveloped due to its proximity to BER Airport. The listed Funkhaus ensemble gives its name to “Funkytown” and is known worldwide for its famous recording hall and studios. Funkytown is scheduled for completion in 2028.
The future campus is flanked to the west by the existing five-storey building, then and now known as “Block-E”, where the legendary youth radio station DT64 had its editorial offices. The imposing reinforced concrete skeleton building is already undergoing extensive renovation. Many of the graffiti from recent decades will remain. Thanks to the designs by AIP Planungs GmbH, spacious, flexible rooms will be created on all floors in future. Also new are a roof terrace and areas for catering on the first floor. The future users of Block-E will come from the fields of culture, creative studios and music. There are also innovative work lofts. Letting has already begun. Block-E is scheduled for completion in Q4/2026.
In addition to the transformation of the existing building, eight new buildings, known as “stations”, are being built along Rummelsburger Landstrasse. Each station is being planned on the basis of the urban planning and architectural concept of the architectural firm KSP Engel Berlin in collaboration with seven other renowned Berlin architectural firms. KSP Engel will be responsible for the master planning and the design of the central station.
The seven other offices will design the façades for the buildings and help to ensure that the extensive district development becomes a flagship project for the district and the whole of south-east Berlin. The other seven offices designing the stations include Julian Breinersdorfer, Graft Architekten, Gruentuch Ernst Architekten, Thomas Hillig Architekten, LAVA, LXSY and TCHOBAN VOSS Architekten. “This association of top-class architects is a statement for a joint contribution to Berlin's urban development. We would like to thank all the planners for coming together for this special task,” emphasizes Barbara Sellwig, Senior Project Manager at Trockland.
“The core idea of Funkytown is community. The fusion of creative vision and architectural know-how will contribute to this and form a new prelude to the center of Berlin.”
“We are very proud that the “Funkytown” project is now being implemented on the basis of our urban design. The collaboration with our colleagues will be an absolute architectural novelty, both in terms of the process and the result, and we are extremely excited about the outcome. It is something very special that our client Trockland will be shaping this visionary process with us,” says Hannes Meisehen, Head of Office KSP Engel Berlin.
The eight stations will have a piazza and are intended for accommodation, gastronomy, gaming, studios, studios, events, culture, education and leisure uses in the spirit of the creative campus. In future, they will complement the music and cultural events in the neighboring Funkhaus Berlin and the already established “Catalyst” Institute for Art and Technology.
“With Funkytown, we are creating a community quarter surrounded by nature on the banks of the Spree and with a wide range of offers that will benefit the entire neighborhood, Berliners and international guests,” explains Barbara Sellwig. “The Treptow-Koepenick district shows that innovative urban development and building culture are possible in Berlin, even in challenging times. We would like to thank all those responsible for their reliable cooperation.”
Further information at: funkytown.berlin
ABOUT TROCKLAND
Trockland Management GmbH was founded in Berlin in 2009 and strives to contribute to urban development by developing real estate and places worth living in. The owner-managed company is responsible for extensive new construction as well as the conversion and renovation of residential and commercial properties. The portfolio includes 23 properties - completed and in planning - including Pier 61|64 at the East Side Gallery and Eiswerk in Berlin-Mitte. An international team of 65 talented people is committed to creating sustainable value while taking social and ethical values into account, as well as providing letting and management services for the existing properties.