In the future, the state library could move into the building on Friedrichstrasse Photo: picture alliance / Bildagentur-online/Schöning
From BZ/dpa
After around 27 years in Berlin, the Galeries Lafayette department store will end at the end of 2024.
The rental agreement for the branch on Friedrichstrasse in Berlin with the property owner Tishman Speyer will not be extended, the department store announced on Wednesday. The Berlin branch was Galeries Lafayette’s first European location outside of France.
The end is “a consequence of changing consumer habits in Germany and significant changes in the city’s retail market,” said a press release.
The design of the library in the old Lafayette building Photo: Render Vision
Operations should cease as soon as the rental agreement expires at the end of 2024. The employee representatives were informed about the step on Wednesday.
According to BZ information, 190 employees could be about to be laid off. “As a responsible employer, we will do everything we can to provide the best possible support to all affected employees,” said the company’s top management.
The plans do not come as a surprise. It has been known for a long time that the rental agreement expires at the end of next year. Galeries Lafayette has repeatedly emphasized in recent weeks that it is currently negotiating an extension of the contract with the owner.
The Berlin Senate recently thought about the future use of the building in Quarter 207. Culture Senator Joe Chialo (53, CDU) dreams: A super library should move into the Galeries Lafayette department store. With bookshelves instead of Parisian chic behind the shop windows!
Library experts have already toured the Lafayette rooms. After a few renovations, you could move in in 2026/2027. However, there would be no space for the outdoor magazines on the four basement and seven upper floors (35,000 m²). The apartments in the area would not be affected. And: Changing the use instead of building a new building would save 64 percent of CO2.