Why so negative, Berlin? The end of SEZ is an opportunity, not a tragedy

Many want to save SEZ, although it's long past saving. Here, a quarter with 680 new apartments is being created.

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2025 December 20 . 10:05 PM

1 min read

At the bottom of the image there is a road with cars and a bus. Behind them there are buildings... — At the bottom of the image there is a road with cars and a bus. Behind them there are buildings with walls, windows, dish and roofs. And also there are posters and banners to the walls. There is a pole with streetlight.

Why so negative, Berlin? The end of SEZ is an opportunity, not a tragedy

Berlin’s iconic but crumbling SEZ building on Landsberger Allee is set to be demolished. The decision follows decades of neglect, failed redevelopment plans, and mounting costs that made preservation impossible. In its place, a new urban quarter will rise, offering housing and a school in a central location.

The SEZ was never listed as a protected historic structure. Over the years, ownership shifted repeatedly, while legal battles and unfulfilled promises left the building to decay. Studies eventually confirmed that restoring it would be too expensive and impractical. City planners, backed by housing association WBM and the Berlin Senate, chose to prioritise urgent needs: 680 new homes and a modern school.

The project will ease Berlin’s housing shortage, with a significant portion of affordable units. The site’s prime location—near Friedrichshain Park and a tram line—ensures strong transport links and green space for future residents. Meanwhile, activists and heritage groups have pushed for alternatives, calling for design competitions or temporary moratoriums to explore adaptive reuse.

Critics argue that demolition signals a disregard for East German heritage. Yet GDR architecture remains visible and protected across Berlin, with many buildings repurposed for cultural or urban uses. The SEZ’s fate reflects practical challenges rather than ideology—its poor condition and high costs left no viable path for preservation.

The demolition clears space for a mixed-use neighbourhood that addresses Berlin’s housing crisis and educational needs. With construction underway, the focus shifts from the past to a more connected, family-friendly district. The project marks a step toward meeting long-standing demand for urban living space in the capital.