05/08/2026
Just around the corner from Berlin's main train station, across the river from the government quarter, is this brand new building.
"Initially intended as an interim accommodation during structural work on the Federal President's Offices at Schloss Bellevue, the building will subsequently be used on a permanent basis by a federal authority."
The Federal President of Germany is usually based in an 18th century palace called Schloss Bellevue on the edge of the Tiergarten Park. The building is, however, being renovated. Apparently no other building in Berlin could meet the security and other requirements, so a new one was built.
I really adore this building visually, but I have to wonder... Was it the city's top priority for new construction? The building cost approximately 205 million euros. Was it really not possible to repurpose an existing structure? Tell me what you think in the comments.
The Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier started working here in June 2026.
It's planned that the Federal President will use this building for the next 5 years, then return to Schloss Bellevue. Afterwards, another federal agency will move into this building.
There are 179 offices and 250 workplaces inside, plus prestigious event spaces on the top floor.
Construction took almost 3 years, thanks to a high degree of prefabrication.
The modular, colourful wood building was designed by Berlin architecture firm Sauerbruch Hutten.
They worked with other firms including Drees & Sommer, Kaufmann Bausysteme & Primus Developments.
If you want to check it out in person, type Bürogebäude für Bundesbehörden (BEA) in Berlin-Mitte into your map.
