This is what the library could look like according to a design Photo: Render Vision
By Sebastian Bauer
The Central and State Library (ZLB) on Friedrichstrasse could also be a bargain – at least comparatively speaking.
Senator for Culture Joe Chialo (53, CDU) mentioned the sum of 589 million euros in the Culture Committee in the House of Representatives for the purchase of land and buildings in the so-called Quartier 207 and its renovation. “And this is just an initial, non-negotiated offer,” said the politician.
A takeover of the building, which still houses the Galeries Lafayette department store, has been agreed with the owner, the US real estate group Tishman Speyer, for the end of 2024. The ZLB could open on Friedrichstrasse by 2026.
This is what the library could look like according to a design Photo: Render Vision
This makes Quarter 207 both cheaper and quicker to move into than the alternative proposal for an extension to the America Memorial Library. According to Chialo, this would cost at least 640 million euros and could only be used in 2037.
The fact that time could be an important factor at the ZLB was emphasized by its general director Volker Heller in the culture committee. “Our conservational storage is currently unacceptable.”
Nothing has been decided yet, among other things. the financing is unclear. Skeptical voices also come from the coalition partner SPD. The building on Friedrichstrasse is scheduled to be inspected by November.
The sum of 589 million euros would come to Berlin’s tight city coffers in the 2026/27 budget.