Gendarmenmarkt

Gendarmenmarkt is considered one of the most beautiful squares in Berlin. Framed by the German Cathedral to the south and the French Cathedral to the north, it is a center of urban life with an eventful history in the middle of the capital. Originally laid out as a market square in the 17th century, today it offers Berliners and visitors to the city a place to stroll and wander, experience concerts and cultural highlights or eat and drink in one of the many restaurants and cafés.

Implementation of the design concept developed with the public

The intensive use of the square has clearly left its mark: In terms of function and design, the Gendarmenmarkt no longer meets the diverse needs and requirements of citizens, residents and visitors to the city. Accompanied by an extensive participation process, the responsible specialist administration developed an urban planning concept for the redesign of the square. On this basis, Grün Berlin is making Gendarmenmarkt fit for the future. The square is being carefully redesigned in a sustainable manner, in keeping with its listed status and with tourism in mind, in order to create a unique open space in the center of Berlin. Public, cultural and commercial uses are to be promoted and the square is to be made tangible as an urban space with a high quality of stay and as an important place in Berlin's urban history.

Climate-adapted urban redevelopment

The construction work began in October 2022 with the necessary explosive ordnance survey. The soil was examined for munitions and other explosive ordnance by drilling, digging and trenching. The extensive civil engineering work then began. Around 6,000 tons of natural stone paving were removed. The square will receive an underground, approximately five-kilometer-long network of pipes for electricity, water and sewage. In the long term, this will replace the existing temporary above-ground pipes on the square. With over 50 submersible drinking water and waste water connections and around 30 underground electricity connections, events can take place independently of the Konzerthaus infrastructure in future. This will significantly reduce set-up and dismantling times.

Rainwater management

In future, sustainable rainwater management will collect valuable rainwater and return it to the groundwater. The rainwater produced will be pre-cleaned in underground technical systems and collected in infiltration trenches. The infiltration trenches act as important storage areas, especially during heavy rainfall events. They retain excess water, relieve the sewer network and ensure that local flooding is prevented.

Finally, new natural stone is laid. The mosaic paving and slabs are based on the current paving grid. The historical appearance of the paved area will therefore be preserved and at the same time modified to meet the increased usage requirements of recent decades.

The main construction work was completed in December 2024 and the reopening of the square is scheduled for March 2025.