More than 150 Scientists Demand Preservation of SEZ - Berlin faces backlash over plans to demolish iconic SEZ complex
Over 150 academics have urged Berlin to halt the demolition of the Sport and Recreation Center (SEZ), a landmark leisure complex in Friedrichshain. Opened in 1981, the site once drew millions of visitors but has stood empty since its closure after German reunification. Now, plans to redevelop the 30,000-square-meter plot have sparked calls for preservation instead of destruction.
The SEZ was a major attraction in East Berlin, offering pools, sports halls, and entertainment spaces. After reunification, the heavily subsidised operation could no longer sustain itself, forcing its shutdown. Decades later, the site remains unused.
The push to save the SEZ comes as WBM moves forward with redevelopment plans. If demolition proceeds, the site’s materials and historical layers will be lost. The scholars’ call for dialogue now puts pressure on the city to reassess its approach before irreversible changes begin.
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