BERLIN
Oxford Properties Group and Norges Bank Investment Management have renamed the iconic Sony Center at Potsdamer Platz as part of their €200 million modernisation of the Berlin landmark. It will temporarily become "The Center Potsdamer Platz", until an official title is selected as part of the delivery of the masterplan, which is due to complete in 2024.
The masterplan is recreating the 1.22 million square foot (113,500 sqm) eight-building, mixed-use complex into a new campus, revitalizing 538,000 sq ft (50,000 sqm) of office, reimaging its retail and culinary offering, while adding immersive entertainment venues and fitness areas for the local community.
Flexible workspaces and retail units are part of the modernisation, including new restaurants, street food, as well as a high-quality selection of cafés for working professionals on the campus.
Sustainability and urban mobility are at the heart of designs for the office campus: new bike parking will connect the underground and S-Bahn station Potsdamer Platz with the campus, encouraging sustainable commuting.
Green spaces will be created in the entrance areas, including an interactive water feature, natural stone flooring and a new lighting concept that supports the wellbeing of campus occupiers. This newly created plaza will encourage informal get-togethers such as a lunch with colleagues, yoga courses or workshops, responding to new ways of working post-pandemic.
The modernisation work started in 2022 and has already passed several milestones: the opening of the Frederick's restaurant, bar and lounge; the completion of a new lobby in the Center.
Oxford Properties Group acquired “The Center Potsdamer Platz” in September 2017 together with Madison International Realty. Norges Bank Investment Management bought a 50% stake in the centre in July 2022.
The original building was built in 2000 and was designed by renowned architect Helmut Jahn. It was spread over nearly six hectares, across eight buildings, including the Bahntower, 915,000 sq ft (85,000 sqm) of prime office space, 215,000 sq ft (20,000 sqm) of retail and leisure and 67 residential units.
This modern architectural icon is now a landmark of Berlin and attracts over seven million visitors every year.
Jay Drexler, VP, Office, Retail & Life Sciences at Oxford Properties said: “The Center’s iconic status makes it one of the most recognisable architectural landmarks in Berlin and we’re committed to remastering it into a new office and retail hub that aligns with the new ways we interact with real estate in a post-pandemic world. We’re retaining Helmut Jahn’s celebrated initial design concept by integrating the real and the virtual, while incorporating more green space and providing flexible offices to meet the needs of our modern customers.”
