Berlin's Gendarmenmarkt Offers Relatively Little Greenery
Berlin's Gendarmenmarkt Reopens After Two-Year Eco-Friendly Renovation
Berlin (dpa/bb) — Berlin's historic Gendarmenmarkt in the Mitte district will not be getting any additional trees or shrubs, the city's environmental authority confirmed in response to a dpa inquiry. Nevertheless, the square is expected to grow slightly greener over time. It reopened in March 2025 after a nearly two-year renovation.
Critics have since complained that the plaza resembles a "stone desert," with far too little vegetation. According to officials, three Japanese snowbell trees were planted during construction, along with three magnolia shrubs. "No further plantings are possible due to strict heritage conservation requirements," the environmental authority stated.
In the medium term, however, the square is set to gain a modest increase in greenery: the snowbell trees are particularly heat- and drought-resistant, as well as low-maintenance. Their sprawling canopies are expected to reach widths of 12 to 18 meters.
Trees Still Have Years to Grow
The environmental authority noted that the Gendarmenmarkt was deliberately planted with larger, roughly 12-year-old specimens that already boast substantial canopies. "The trees will reach their full spread in 15 to 18 years."
Green spaces are also present, particularly on the southern and northern edges of the 19,000-square-meter plaza, as well as near the French Cathedral and the German Cathedral.
Christian Gaebler (SPD), Berlin's senator for urban development and housing, explicitly rejected the "stone desert" criticism: "The Gendarmenmarkt is not just an extraordinary urban square but also a vibrant cultural hub that enriches Berlin's cultural life—and has been developed accordingly," he said. "It is a city square, not a park, yet its green corners on the periphery still provide areas for rest and cooling."
Heritage Office Open to Compatible Solutions
The State Office for Heritage Conservation emphasized that heritage protection cannot be cited as a blanket reason against additional greening. "Our professional stance has always been nuanced and open to heritage-compatible solutions that meet both urban climate needs and the preservation of the historic urban space," spokesperson Nicole Hildebrandt stated.
As part of the renovation, the Gendarmenmarkt was equipped with an underground utility network spanning roughly five kilometers, supplying electricity, water, and wastewater infrastructure. The system is designed to simplify the organization of events, from Christmas markets to open-air concerts.
Originally laid out as a marketplace in the 17th century, the Gendarmenmarkt is home to architectural landmarks including the German and French Cathedrals and the Konzerthaus, designed by Karl Friedrich Schinkel. The square remains a favorite among Berliners and tourists alike.
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