The Estrel Berlin, Europe’s largest convention, entertainment and hotel complex, is expanding its function space with an additional convention hall of 108,000 square feet in size to create a total capacity of 270,000 square feet.
The construction right next to the current convention hall is already in full swing. Completion of the new building is expected on 1 September 2015. Altogether, the Estrel Congress & Messe Center will offer space for 12,000 attendees of conventions, meetings, trade fairs and other events.
“With over 1,800 events and 360,000 visitors per year, we are already a well-established fixture in Berlin’s convention and trade fair industry. This expansion will further consolidate our market position and bring new domestic and international events to Berlin,” explains the owner of the hotel, Ekkehard Streletzki. “With the addition of 108,000 square feet, the current Estrel Convention Center will be transformed into the new Estrel Congress & Messe Center,” Streletzki adds. “During set-up and teardown periods at our current Convention Hall, this will finally enable us to host parallel events in our new hall with the same high standards of quality and design. What’s more, the opening of our new congress and trade fair hall in addition to the City Cube will offer space for large conventions, which has been much needed since the closure of the ICC.”
The investment volume for the expansion is approximately €30 million. Additional sales team members have been hired for the acquisition of domestic and international conventions and for the creation of own trade fairs and events.
Berlin gains 108,000 sq ft in exhibition space
“Congratulations to the Estrel and the city of Berlin. The German capital urgently needs these new capacities, which are being created by private initiative, in order to accommodate the strong demand for congresses and events,” says Burkhard Kieker, Chief Executive Officer of Berlin Tourismus & Kongress GmbH. Heinz Buschkowsky, mayor of the Berlin district of Neukölln, is equally pleased with the expansion: “Thanks to the Estrel Congress & Messe Center, Berlin is further proving its status as a preferred convention destination – and Neukölln offers all the right conditions for this.” According to him, the venue’s proven excellent location and transportation links will continue to contribute to the future success of the Estrel Congress & Messe Center.
Convention Hall II
Convention Hall II, located at Ziegrastrasse 15-19, will feature more than 65,000 square feet of exhibition space as well as a 7,500 sq ft sized foyer and additional function rooms. The new exhibition space with a height of up to 37 feet will be directly connected to the Estrel Convention Center, which was opened in 1999, and will be fitted with cutting-edge infrastructure. In order to conserve energy and make the new hall more environmentally friendly, it will be equipped with a photovoltaic system on the roof to generate power and with a grey water system to supply the sanitary facilities. For hybrid events the new facilities will also offer live stream and video conferencing. In addition, 180 suspension points will allow the new Convention Hall II to accommodate a total load of approximately 180 tons. “That means that the equivalent of about 100 cars can be suspended from the ceiling,” explains Streletzki. The new Estrel Congress & Messe Center will provide a complete spectrum of services under one roof, ranging from technical advice to the planning and implementation of events and trade fairs. The portfolio will include classic event services such as lighting, sound and stage technology, along with decoration, trade fair and stand construction, design, logistics and catering.
The interior design of the new hall has been planned by the award-winning architectural firm b-k-i Brandherm + Krumrey. Their concept focuses on creating an individual and appealing atmosphere without limiting the functionality of the space. In particular, the 7,500 sq ft foyer will exude an unmistakable character and will serve as an important link between the two building complexes. Several interior design elements will combine to create a stylish salon atmosphere. Elegant tiles in various shades of color will give the appearance of large overlapping rugs, while graceful over-dimensional pendant lamps, stylish seating elements and a metallic wall color will create an inviting, comfortable atmosphere. A further unique feature will be the large light boxes displaying artistic photographs of the Estrel’s surrounding area, which will serve to subtly blend the interior with the exterior world. In this way, the foyer will serve as a distinctive and symbolic identification feature. Other than in most convention centers, which utilize a conventional concrete floor coating, Convention Hall II will boast special high-grade flooring with a metallic look that will provide a unique sense of space. The walls will be fitted with patterned, perforated acoustic panels as well as slatted panels made out of natural wood. A digital guidance system with monitors and displays will be used for orientation and conference room signage.
In addition, a facelift is being planned for the existing Convention Hall in spring 2015 so that the altogether 75 function spaces will form a harmonious overall picture.
