Architectural icon and building ensemble at Potsdamer Platz
Address: Center am Potsdamer Platz, Potsdamer Straße 2, 10785 Berlin | Built: 1995 to 1998 | Architectural style: Postmodern | Height: 67 m
The Center am Potsdamer Platz is not a new development in Berlin, but rather the former Sony Center. The complex will reopen in 2024 after renovation and refurbishment. A unique symbiosis of different worlds converges within the building complex. It will merge hypermodern office space, cultural offerings, entertainment, and community.
The Center am Potsdamer Platz will soon feature a rooftop bar with spectacular views. London-based operator Kerb will also have a food mall and numerous chic shops that invite you to stroll and shop.
Directions and location of the Berlin landmark
The Center at Potsdamer Platz, known as the Sony Center until March 2023, is located at Potsdamer Platz. This is located in the Tiergarten district and belongs to the Berlin-Mitte district. The location of the building complex with its seven buildings was a tactically clever choice.
The square is an important transportation hub located between the old city center, in eastern Berlin, and western Berlin. The Center at Potsdamer Platz can be reached via the B1 and Ebertstraße.
You are currently viewing placeholder content from OpenStreetMap. To access the actual content, click the button below. Please note that data will be shared with third parties in the process.
Opening Hours and Tours
The center at Potsdamer Platz is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This means that the complex can be visited at any time. However, the opening hours of the restaurants, entertainment providers, and shops may differ from the center’s opening hours.
Admission Prices for the Center at Potsdamer Platz
There is no admission fee to visit the Center at Potsdamer Platz and soak up its special atmosphere.
Guided Tours of the Center at Potsdamer Platz
The Center at Potsdamer Platz itself does not offer any guided tours. However, the “About Berlin” app, which is free for everyone to use, is certainly interesting. It is available for iPhone and Android smartphones and can be easily downloaded from the respective app store.
The app is ideal for those who want to learn more about Berlin. It offers interesting background information and unique stories about more than 250 locations in the German capital. The app also provides convenient access to multimedia materials and audiobooks.
The app brings Berlin’s history to life. This makes a personal tour of discovery through the Center at Potsdamer Platz a unique experience, even without a guided tour.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions about the Center am Potsdamer Platz
What is the Center am Potsdamer Platz?
The Center am Potsdamer Platz is a modern shopping and entertainment center in the heart of Berlin. It houses a variety of shops, restaurants, cinemas, and entertainment venues. As one of the largest inner-city shopping centers, it offers visitors a wide range of shopping and leisure options.
How tall is the Center am Potsdamer Platz in Berlin?
The Center am Potsdamer Platz has a height of approximately 85 meters.
When was the Center am Potsdamer Platz in Berlin built?
The Center am Potsdamer Platz was built in several phases between the 1990s and the early 2000s as part of the extensive urban development of Potsdamer Platz following German reunification. The center’s first buildings opened in the late 1990s, with further construction phases continuing into the early 2000s.
Who owns the Center am Potsdamer Platz in Berlin?
The center at Potsdamer Platz belongs to the Brookfield Property Group, a real estate company headquartered in Canada.
Center am Potsdamer Platz – Special Features and Interesting Facts
The former Sony Center, which has been officially named Center am Potsdamer Platz since March 2023, is a unique building complex. Its architecture is dominated by glass and concrete. At the time of its construction, the building complex was considered particularly innovative. The sloping glass facade, for example, was considered unique in the world. Werner Sobek was responsible for its realization.
The oval forum is part of the public space and thus does not separate the surrounding streets. The historic Hotel Esplanade is considered the centerpiece of the Center am Potsdamer Platz. The Kaisersaal (Emperor’s Hall), which was relocated 76 meters, has been preserved.
The hotel’s breakfast room has also been preserved because it is a listed building. Like the Kaisersaal, the breakfast room was relocated, rebuilt in the Center am Potsdamer Platz, and integrated into the building complex.
A closer look at the oval roof will quickly reveal that the construction is a true feat of engineering. The tent roof rests on the adjacent buildings via a steel ring, to which fan-shaped fabric panels are attached with tension rods.
The roof structure was built by Waagner-Biro, an Austrian steel construction company. The total area of the roof is 3,500 square meters, and 105 tons of safety glass were used. At its highest point, the roof measures 67 meters and is up to 102 meters long.
The former Sony Center, now the Center am Potsdamer Platz, has a total area of approximately 132,500 square meters, of which 68,000 square meters are office space. Around 26,500 square meters are residential space. 8,100 square meters are occupied by retail stores and restaurants. There is an entertainment center with approximately 17,000 square meters, and the same size is the film house.
Historical Facts and History of the Center at Potsdamer Platz
The Sony Center, consisting of seven buildings, was built on a 26,000 square meter site in Berlin-Mitte according to plans by architect Helmut Jahn and took three years to build. The entire building complex opened on June 14, 2000, while the entertainment area opened on January 20, 2000.
The former Sony Center and current Center at Potsdamer Platz has a triangular shape. This creates an impressive combination that combines entertainment, living, and working. The Bahntower, at 103 meters high, forms the apex of the triangle, is the tallest building on the square and is visible from afar.
During the construction of the Center at Potsdamer Platz, fragments of the former Hotel Esplanade were incorporated. This architectural masterpiece becomes apparent when viewed from Bellevuestrasse. A steel bridge can be seen spanning the facade of the former luxury hotel and leading to the modern residential wing.
Since demolition of the Hotel Esplanade was not possible due to its listed status, the neo-baroque facade was first relocated, then restored, and integrated into the building complex. However, only parts of the historic hotel could be incorporated into the plans for the new building. Therefore, only the listed Imperial Hall and the Breakfast Hall were preserved, two walls of which still stand in their original location.
To date, the former Sony Center and current Center at Potsdamer Platz has changed hands several times. The current owner is Oxford Properties Group, and since May 2022, Norges Bank Investment Management. An extensive renovation of the building complex began in November 2021. The center at Potsdamer Platz is finally scheduled to reopen in summer 2024.
Sights and attractions in the immediate vicinity of the Center at Potsdamer Platz
The Center and Potsdamer Platz are a true world of experience. There’s plenty to discover and admire, not just in the building complex itself, but also in the immediate vicinity. It’s not always just architecture and engineering, but rather other things that catch the eye.
A walk to the Center, across Potsdamer Platz, takes you past interesting and unusual sculptures created by renowned artists. One sculpture that immediately catches the eye at Potsdamer Platz is by Keith Haring and is called “The Boxers.”
While strolling around the Center at Potsdamer Platz, it’s worth looking up and admiring the installation on Schellingstrasse on the roof of the 14th floor of the DaimlerChrysler Services building. The sculpture is by Auke de Vries and evokes flying objects and building motifs.
There’s a unique feature on the 25th floor of the Kollhoff Tower. This is where the panorama point is located, offering visitors an indescribable view of Berlin. Panels on the viewing platform allow visitors to compare what Berlin and Potsdamer Platz once looked like. This creates a unique blend of modernity and history.
Remains of brickwork from the time when Germany was divided can also be found in the immediate vicinity of the Center at Potsdamer Platz.
If you walk in the other direction, you’ll come across the Boulevard of Stars. The red asphalt with golden stars is a mile of honor commemorating German film and television stars.
Cafés and Restaurants Near the Center at Potsdamer Platz
Potsdamer Platz and the Center also have a lot to offer in terms of dining. There are lovely cafés and restaurants there that invite you to linger and enjoy yourself. It doesn’t necessarily have to be the new food mall that’s currently being built in the center. This way, you can already enjoy the unique flair of Berlin-Mitte and Potsdamer Platz with its impressive buildings.
Casas Gourmet at Leipziger Platz 1 is just a few minutes’ walk from the Potsdamer Platz Center and offers its guests delicious milkshakes, coffee concoctions, and tasty cakes. In a cozy atmosphere, you can watch the vibrant city life.
Address: Casas Gourmet, Leipziger Platz 1
Panorama Café
If you want to enjoy a great view accompanied by delicious coffee specialties and cakes, the Panorama Café at Potsdamer Platz 1 is the perfect place. The café is located 90 meters above the rooftops of Berlin, away from the hustle and bustle of Berlin’s city life. This allows you to gaze dreamily down at the city and enjoy life.
Address: Panorama Café, Potsdamer Platz 1
Lindenbräu at Potsdamer Platz
If you’re looking for hearty food and a delicious beer, you’ll definitely get your money’s worth at the Lindenbräu at Potsdamer Platz at Bellevuestraße 3-5. The modern brewery offers its guests specialties from the Alpine region and, of course, Bavarian beer. In nice weather, the specialties can be enjoyed on the large outdoor terrace.
Address: Lindenbräu am Potsdamer Platz, Bellevuestraße 3-5
Essenza in the Kollhoff Tower
The essenza is located in the Kollhoff Tower at Potsdamer Platz 1. The modern, stylishly furnished restaurant serves Italian delicacies, ranging from true classics like pasta and pizza to delicious desserts.
Address: essenza in the Kollhoff Tower, Potsdamer Platz 1
Restaurant Facil
Guests can enjoy international and European cuisine at Restaurant Facil at Potsdamer Straße 3. The restaurant is located on the 5th floor of the hotel “The Mandala” and is definitely worth a visit according to the Michelin Guide.
Address: Restaurant Facil, Potsdamer Straße 3