Berlin’s First Skyscraper Ready to be Inaugurated
The German capital's highest building is being completed as we speak. What will they use it for?
Berlin is on the verge of becoming home to its first skyscraper, with the Estrel Tower set to be inaugurated in December 2026. The city has been without a building meeting the official skyscraper height requirement of at least 150 meters (492 feet) for quite some time. While the TV Tower stands at an impressive 368 meters (1207 feet), it is not considered a traditional building but a unique construction.
Other notable structures in Berlin, such as the Edge East Side Tower, Treptowers, and Park Inn, are also below the skyscraper threshold.
The Estrel Tower, located in the Neukölln district, is unique with its asymmetrically arranged metal braces and sparkling appearance in the sun. The architects Barkow Leibinger have done an excellent job, and the building was completed in just five years. The tower's height of 176 meters (577 feet) nearly reaches the moon, making it a significant addition to Berlin's skyline.
The Estrel Tower's primary purpose is to accommodate more hotel guests, with existing rooms increasing from 1,125 to an estimated 1,650, adding a total of 3,000 beds. In addition to the hotel expansion, the building will also feature coworking spaces, offices, a conference area, a "sky bar," and a restaurant.
The entire building will be inaugurated in December, with the lobby and hotel part opening for business in January. The conference center will follow in the spring of 2027. The top floors 44 and 45 will be managed by the building, and the "sky bar" will be installed on the 43rd floor while the conference center occupies the 41st and 42nd floors.
The completion of the Estrel Tower was initially scheduled for 2024 but was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors. Despite the delays and the significant investment required, the stunning architecture of the Estrel Tower is undoubtedly worth the expense.
Written by urgent.news from The Berlin Spectator's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
