Berlin’s Old Tegel Airport Gets Ready For Its Next Life
No Airbuses, no Boeings: A residential district named Schumacher Quartier is being built right now. Next to it, Urban Tech Republic, a research and industrial park, is in the planning stage.
On September 4th, 2026, the final chapter began for Tegel Airport as construction began on a new residential district called the Schumacher Quartier. Nearly six years after its last flight, the 500-hectare site in Berlin's eastern edge is transforming into a diverse complex. The Schumacher Quartier, covering 46 hectares, will house over 5,000 apartments, with 35-40% subsidized to keep them affordable.
The project also includes the Urban Tech Republic, a research and industrial park focused on urban technologies, and the Tegeler Stadtheide, a nature park spanning 190 hectares. Over the past decade, extensive planning and stakeholder involvement led to the vision of this 5-square-kilometer development. The Schumacher Quartier, managed by Berlin TXL Management GmbH, is expected to start construction in November 2026, with the first residents moving in by 2029.
Sustainability is a key aspect, with the use of wood, recycled materials, and a "sponge city" design. While the tram connection to the district is not expected to be completed until 2034, the development marks a significant shift in how Berliners view the former airport site, with city officials calling it a flagship project for the city and Germany.
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.
