By Hildburg Bruns and Michael Zöllner
The previous plans can go into the waste paper. The costs for the renovation, conversion and expansion of the Komische Oper (Behrenstraße) double – to provisionally 437.4 million euros!
With the discordant millions, the building management of Andreas Geisel (56, SPD) only came out on Thursday after BZ demand. The finance senator did not even get the new numbers, they are still calculated at a low 227 million euros.
“It is incomprehensible why the Senate does not reflect this increase in costs, which it is aware of, in the investment plan. This harms the project. The Komische Oper didn’t deserve that,” criticized CDU financial expert Christian Goiny (57).
Building Senator Andreas Geisel (56, SPD) Photo: Ralf Gunther
Why are costs exploding?
► + 116.1 million euros (39 percent) due to rising construction prices
► + 2 million for stage equipment
► + 94.3 million because the plans have been finalized
“We were told that the architectural design is very demanding. We are surprised by the increases, ”said the Green finance expert André Schulze (35).
Furthermore, 42.6 million euros were budgeted for unforeseen events and risks, as well as 34.7 million euros for the alternative accommodation for game operations. On the other hand, to save costs (- 14 million), the usable area was reduced by 700 square meters.
What’s planned?
After 50 years of continuous performances (240,000 guests annually), the historic hall is being carefully restored and the dilapidated backstage area renovated.
The historic hall is being carefully restored (archive image) Photo: picture-alliance/ dpa / Soeren Stache
An extension building with an all-day restaurant and new rehearsal rooms is being built along Glinkastraße. A new box office is planned at the corner of Unter den Linden, as well as access to a visitor terrace with a rooftop bar. The new, barrier-free main entrance is again planned on Behrenstrasse.
In July 2023, the Komische Oper will move out and use the Schiller Theater in Charlottenburg as a temporary quarter during the construction period.
Only then can the walls, for example, be examined in detail and the costs finally calculated. It could get EVEN more expensive!