Vibrant city centre

Symbolic value: Berlin's Potsdamer Platz is a new centre of the capital city buzzing with activity. Swanky hotels and unusual event locations are booming, where for decades silence reigned.

A narrow strip of asphalt and a few graffiti-covered blocks of concrete are all that is left of the Berlin Wall. Tourists from all over the world like to have their picture taken in front of the relicts of the Cold War. Town planners and star architects used the opportunity to realise their visions of a new city on the former wasteland along the wall. That is the environment in which the four five-star hotels, Marriott, Maritim, Hyatt, and Ritz-Carlton are competing on the tough capital city market. They have formed the Hotel Alliance Berlin Potsdamer Platz and now market the hotel, convention and event capacities of their own establishments and nearby locations.
For example, the U3 is located directly in front of the luxury hotels. The station, which was built to extend Berlin's underground railway system, is actually part of the underground network although further extension has been put on hold for lack of funds. The ruin is celebrating its rebirth as a chic location. Where trains should have come hurtling out of a dark tunnel, models stride the catwalk, corporations celebrate and parties are held. U3 has capacity for around 3,500 people. In stark contrast to the concrete charm of the U3 there is the Adagio directly below the theatre on the Potsdamer Platz. The furnishing and flair of the club are strongly reminiscent of the Hunchback of Notre Dame. It's the Middle Ages or Disneyland, however you want to see it. Dark vaults, passageways, dim torch light and old stone walls evoke a castle. The Adagio is recommended for corporate receptions, private parties and has hosted many an after-show party following a film premiere or award ceremony.
The ewerk in Mauerstraße has a stylish vintage look. Not so long ago, the Social Democrats celebrated their election victory there. The roof terrace commanding a spectacular view over Berlin provided the location for the successful soap opera "Verliebt in Berlin". It has also been hired for concerts, dinners and company parties. The Radialsystem completed in September is an architectural gem in a city with no shortage of spectacular locations. The old pumping station in Holtzmarktstraße offers several halls directly on the river Spree, a covered terrace, outdoor space next to the river and smaller rooms for art projects and corporate events. One of the special aspects of the Alliance is that, if the client so wishes, it will take care of booking, the complete programme and the catering for the events and conferences. The hoteliers want to make a name for themselves as a conference destination. Together they offer a conference capacity for more than 5,000 individuals and a conference area of 10,500 m2. The partners are sure that with their alliance they can generate additional large events in Berlin that a single establishment alone would not be able to host. In its four hotels, the Hotel Alliance Berlin Potsdamer Platz provides 1519 rooms and 88 conference rooms.

m+a report Nr.7 / 2006 vom 27.10.2006
m+a report vom 27. Oktober 2006