New “Community Quarter”: 8 Berlin architects design creative living and working space in the GDR radio building

The former broadcasting center of the GDR , BLOCK-E on Rummelsburger Landstraße, is being transformed into a lively location for culture and creativity. New buildings are being built in Funkytown that will serve as a home for art, education and accommodation. This is what the operators of the project have announced.

BLOCK-E, which in the past served as the center for the GDR youth radio station DT64, is now being revived as the heart of Funkytown. A new creative quarter is being brought to life on Rummelsburger Landstrasse, in a place with strong historical significance. Eight modern buildings, known as STATIONS, are to be built here. These will provide space for a diverse mix of culture, education, accommodation, social and gastronomic offerings.

KSP Engel is responsible for the overall master planning and the design of the central STATION D. In addition to KSP Engel, the architects involved include Julian Breinersdorfer Architekten, Graft, Grüntuch Ernst Architekten, Hillig Architekten, LAVA, LXSY and Tchoban Voss Architekten. These studios draw on various areas of expertise and place value on sustainable and functional architecture.

The Funkytown campus is also set to accommodate well-known operators. Three of the new STATIONS are rented to accommodation providers. The international hotel group Leonardo Hotels is planning to open a hotel with 225 rooms under the lifestyle brand NYX. Another STATION will be occupied by the Berlin operator The Base, which is planning 157 community units with communal areas under "The Base Berlin Funky". Nena Hospitality is taking over a STATION and is planning accommodation for young people with 588 beds.

Rentals have already started and interested parties can contact Trockland's rental team for more information and floor plans.

The neighborhood around Nalepastraße is part of Berlin's booming southeast corridor. Culture has been lived, music made and creative work carried out in the Funkhaus for half a century. The urban energy is framed by the Spree , the island of Bullenbruch and a growing number of cultural and economic attractions.

The transport connections are to be varied: In the future, all Funkytown tenants will have access to a private campus shuttle that connects Funkytown with the Ostkreuz and Ostbahnhof stations every day from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Numerous train and bus lines run from these public transport hubs throughout Berlin and to Brandenburg. In addition, the on-demand BVG service Muva is available in the Treptow-Köpenick district. There is also the option of getting to the campus individually with share cars, scooters or bikes.

The site is impressive due to its special location with a view of the Spree and the Plänterwald. The area is also the focus of a comprehensive development project that aims to improve the river banks between Rummelsburg and Oberschöneweide. This project is being driven forward by the districts of Lichtenberg and Treptow-Köpenick and the Senate Department for Urban Development.

The nearby Funkhaus Berlin continues to be a cultural magnet and attracts international visitors with its events. In addition to this cultural center, there are numerous studios and facilities for musicians and artists, such as the Gaswerksiedlung. The Reinbeckhallen Foundation also offers space for contemporary art and cultural programs.

The vision for Funkytown, and specifically BLOCK-E, is to preserve historic features such as raw concrete and graffiti. This will be combined with modern elements to create a unique, dynamic space that combines both tradition and innovation. With the opening of the buildings, Funkytown is expected to establish itself as a major hub for creativity and cultural events, attracting artists, entrepreneurs and visitors from around the world.

Source: Funkytown Berlin