By Stephen Peter
The ICC is dead, long live the ICC! The last conference took place in the congress center in 2014 – after an eight-year break, it is now a major event again in the huge building.
Franziska Giffey (44, SPD) opened the two-day “Metropolitan Conference Q Berlin” with mayors from all over the world on Thursday.
Before that, the ruler was with her Paris counterpart Anne Hidalgo (63) on the roof terrace of the still futuristic-looking building, explaining the radio tower, exhibition center and traffic problems: “The area is dominated by cars.” The ICC is a “great place of identification for West Berlin “.
Franziska Giffey with her Paris counterpart Anne Hidalgo on the roof terrace of the ICC Photo: Stefan Peter
Then the conference participants said: “We invite you to explore the building.” Which of course wasn’t that easy – many escalators, elevators and stairways were blocked off. And the water supply is obviously not risk-free either – large yellow warning signs “Caution! No drinking water”.
Mostly deserted: the corridors and corridors of the ICC Photo: picture alliance
Stairs and escalators were mostly cordoned off on Thursday Photo: Stefan Peter
The big question: What will become of the house? “When you see it in conference mode, you think it can start again right away,” Giffey told BZ. Giffey hopes the house will start to pick up again soon. Next year, the best concepts will be presented in a competition. “We want to open it again!”
There are 80 halls and rooms that have been almost constantly empty since the closure Photo: picture alliance
The governor gave her speech to the conference participants in fluent English, including a few German words: “Let’s be confident,” she called for optimism. Because: “Whining doesn’t help!”
“I love you, my ICC” was written above the entrance to the congress center on Thursday Photo: Stefan Peter
Glittering balls and concerts were celebrated in the ICC
Library, headquarters of an authority, exhibition hall – there are many ideas for the future of the ICC. So far none is realistic.
In the meantime, the demolition was requested. Because: The vacancy of the house opened in 1979 costs! However, the operation was too expensive for Messe Berlin: the costs are higher than the income. After being closed in 2014 due to asbestos, the ICC was used as a refugee shelter, an art project and a vaccination center. Now an architectural competition is to collect new ideas.
View of the large hall of the ICC – there was room for 5000 people Photo: picture alliance / Dieter Klar
Many Berliners’ hearts bleed when they saw the empty ICC. After all, one of the most important buildings of the post-war period was not only a place for trade fairs and congresses, but also for balls and concerts.