Ground-breaking ceremony: WBM starts construction of residential and commercial complex in Berlin

WBM Wohnungsbaugesellschaft Berlin-Mitte mbH has officially started construction on a new project in Köpenicker Strasse. This historically significant site, once the location of the world's first "aircraft factory" and now a memorial to Otto Lilienthal, is now being transformed by WBM into a modern residential and commercial complex that meets the requirements of contemporary urban development.

Building in Köpenicker Strasse: efficiency and quality of life

Two striking building complexes are being built on the existing site at Köpenicker Strasse 104-114 - a 12-storey tower block and a 3-storey low-rise building. The low-rise building of the new complex achieves efficiency class D, with CO2 emissions of 6.8 kilograms per square metre per year. The high-rise building belongs to efficiency class B with CO2 emissions of 3.8 kilograms per square metre per year. The innovative concept provides for six inner courtyards, which break up the urban design of the complex and promote a sustainable quality of life.

Urban transformation

A total of 102 rental flats will be created, including 40 subsidised units and 58 barrier-free units. In addition, commercial units with an impressive total area of over 8,000 square metres will be created, offering a mix of local amenities and services that complement the neighbourhood. Construction work is scheduled for completion in the fourth quarter of 2025.

The state of Berlin is subsidising the project with housing development funds. As a financing partner, HypoVereinsbank (HVB) is supporting WBM in the construction project with an impact-oriented loan (Social Impact Financing). HVB grants these loans for sustainable investments that have a positive social impact and measurably improve the living conditions of vulnerable groups in Germany.

The rental flats in this project are characterised by a high degree of diversity. From compact 2-room flats with around 56 square metres to spacious 5-room flats with 120 square metres, the different room configurations offer something for every taste. In addition, special cluster flats of around 200 square metres will be created, offering an innovative form of living for individual needs. Köpenicker Strasse will thus become the scene of a modern urban transformation and a vital location with attractive residential and commercial offers.

Urban development visions and challenges

Prof. Petra Kahlfeldt, Senate Building Director and State Secretary for Urban Development: "We need to create high-quality housing, not only on the outskirts of the city, but also in inner-city neighbourhoods, such as here on Köpenicker Strasse. WBM is creating value for future tenants and also for the Berliners who already live in the neighbourhood through a mix of residential, commercial and local amenities - sustainably built and in some cases barrier-free."

Ephraim Gothe, District Councillor for Urban Development and Facility Management: "This location placed extraordinary demands on the planning in every respect: the post-war housing estate along Köpenicker Strasse, which has a very unique urban development effect in the context of the war-destroyed historic Luisenstadt, comes up against the Mitte combined heat and power plant, which places very high and special demands both in terms of urban development and its technical impact. These two parameters defined the boundary conditions for an urban development qualification process, the result of which was to create as many new flats as possible. I am very pleased that all those involved have jointly succeeded in agreeing on a special urban development that fulfils these requirements, fits well into the urban context and yet creates a high degree of design independence and conciseness. The flats to be built here are urgently needed in Berlin and in the centre of Berlin."

Lars Dormeyer, Managing Director of WBM: "With this project, we are sending a clear signal in favour of future-oriented and sustainable urban development in Berlin-Mitte. We are thus making our contribution to a city of short distances, creating attractive living space and taking the needs of local residents into account."

Architectural competition and public dialogue

Planning for this project began back in September 2015, when the Berlin Senate organised an architectural competition in close cooperation with WBM. The winning design was submitted by the consortium Love architecture and urbanism ZT GmbH & Architektur Consult ZT GmbH from Graz, Austria. Since then, WBM has been in close contact with the neighbourhood in order to provide information about the construction project at an early stage and involve a wide range of stakeholders.

In addition, solutions for the acoustic challenges at the site have been developed in regular coordination meetings initiated and coordinated by the housing control centre under the direction of the Senate Department for Urban Development and Housing.


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(Source: WBM Wohnungsbaugesellschaft Berlin-Mitte mbH, 12|15|2023 | "GROUND-BREAKING CEREMONY IN CENTRE: WBM STARTS CONSTRUCTION PROJECT IN KÖPENICKER STRASSE")