Expert recommends moving out by 2027 at the latest
The background to the decision is a recommendation by the Berlin office dbp dasbauprojekt, which, in a summarized evaluation of the expert opinions available on the City Hall, came to the conclusion that the City Hall, which was occupied in 1978, should be taken out of use in 2027.
For the preparation and implementation of the relocation of the administrative units housed in the City Hall with around 1,500 employees, the administration states that it will require an additional 13 full-time positions.
Fundamental decision on the future of the City Hall site
As the Berlin office believes that the City Hall is fundamentally suitable for redevelopment, a fundamental decision on what to do with the City Hall site is pending at the same time. This political decision will be prepared by the administration over the next few months on the basis of various parameters. It will be crucial to assess the opportunities of the City Hall site in terms of urban development, urban planning, sustainability and economic viability. The future workplace and space requirements of the city administration, parallel projects under development such as the Neue Quartier Bundesviertel (NQB), the Innovation Triangle and investor projects will also be taken into account. The administration will seek external support for the preparation of the various scenarios.
The basis for the City Council's decision on the future of the City Hall site should be available by the end of 2024.
Background
The City Hall was built between 1974 and 1977 to a design by Heinle, Wischer und Partner and occupied in 1978. At the end of 2023, the city administration commissioned the Berlin office dbp dasbauprojekt to evaluate all available expert reports on the technical and structural condition of the City Hall. The available reports on the shell, fire protection, earthquake safety, façade, building technology and pollutants were evaluated. As a result, the report concludes that the City Hall could be renovated in principle. A so-called core renovation would be possible, i.e. the building would be completely dismantled down to the shell. The property would also be suitable for refurbishment from a building law perspective.