Sports-Oriented Mixed-Use Development in Berlin Promises to Reshape Urban Communities with Clear Focus and Theme

Developer Moritz Gruppe has come up with a new vision for a large sports-themed mixed-use project.

By Alex Girda, Associate Editor

Berlin—The European urban development landscape is changing. Sustainability is now a major factor as it is in the United States, as well as the developer’s need for a hook, a theme to draw buyers and residents of both residential and commercial space and captivate their imagination. To that effect, developer Moritz Gruppe has come up with a new vision for a large sports-themed mixed-use project. Based on a design by well-known architecture firm LAVA, THE SQUARE3 will focus on three elements: life, nature and sport.

According to information released by the developer, the mixed-use project will be located less than 10 minutes away from Alexanderplatz, the German capital’s core. Following the central theme of THE SQUARE3,the three diagonally formed city blocks would create a dynamic, mixed-use environment in the city of Berlin. The 15-acre site will house an Olympic-inspired podium-like construction consisting of three differently shaped towers, each of which will be decorated with one of the colors of the medals given to athletes in the prestigious sports event.

The $585 million investment will create a 1.5 million square foot complex featuring office space that would cater to sports-centric tenants, including sports clubs and companies in the industry. Around 1,000 residential units, a gross leasable area of around 1 million square feet, a medical and research center, a sports hotel and sports-themed entertainment areas, specialized shopping mall, educational facilities, childcare spaces and a multi-level parking facility are included in the development plan. Construction start is scheduled for 2014, with a completion date tentatively set some time in 2017.

The three concepts of LIFE, NATURE, SPORT, will be introduced in the project as follows:

  • LIFE—The concept calls for this component to be materialized in the community’s living spaces, the apartments, offices, retail and social facilities
  • NATURE—Embodies the sustainable element of THE SQUARE3 including roof gardens, hanging green facades and common courtyards and green spaces
  • SPORT—The main architectural element of the podium-shaped towers; also represents the focus on sports offices, the hotel, the shopping mall and athlete hospitality facilities