Historic Hohenschönhausen Castle Nears Completion, Public to Choose New Name
Berlin, March 6th – The former Hohenschönhausen Castle, located at Hauptstraße 44 in Berlin’s Lichtenberg district, is nearing the completion of its extensive renovation. The building, which dates back to 1692 and is the oldest non-church building in the district, is being transformed into a vibrant neighborhood hub with a café and cultural program. As construction enters its final phase, the ‘Neues Berlin’ housing cooperative, which acquired the listed building in 2021, has launched a public vote to select its new name.
Over the past few weeks, the housing cooperative received more than 150 name suggestions for the historic property. A jury then reviewed these proposals based on specific criteria, narrowing them down to four finalists. The public can now cast their votes on the website www.hauptstrasse44.de for one of the following options: ‘GUT 44’, ‘KulturGut 44’, ‘WIR 44’, and ‘Kiezforum 44’. The voting period concludes on Sunday, March 8th.
Stefan Krause, board member of ‘Neues Berlin’, expressed his enthusiasm for the significant public response. He noted that over 800 votes have already been cast, demonstrating strong community engagement in the renaming process.
Extensive Renovation a Major Undertaking
The exact opening date for the former manor house remains unconfirmed. “We are currently planning to complete the structural work by the end of this year,” explained Krause. The official opening date will be announced in due course, as it depends on the ongoing construction progress. Krause emphasized that the renovation of this historic building is far more complex than a typical residential construction project, primarily due to its protected heritage status and the numerous structural alterations made over centuries. He added that the initial phase, involving comprehensive surveys, assessments, investigations, and planning, alone took two years.
The renovated building is slated to host a variety of cultural events. The ground floor will feature exhibition spaces and a café, for which an operator has already been secured. The upper floor will house a large event room, which will also be available for private functions. Additionally, the building will serve as an external branch for the Lichtenberg registry office, offering a unique venue for weddings. The ‘Neues Berlin’ cooperative aims to establish a “lively and culturally attractive place for the neighborhood” through this initiative.
The property also includes a large outdoor area, which is currently undergoing development to complement the castle’s new function.
Previous Renovation Efforts and Current Costs
This is not the first attempt to renovate the old manor house. In 2008, the ‘Förderverein Schloss Hohenschönhausen’ acquired the property. Between 2003 and 2006, the roof was renovated, and in 2009, four rooms on the upper floor were reconstructed. However, funding eventually ran out, leading to the sale of the property to the cooperative in 2021.
The ‘Neues Berlin’ cooperative declined to disclose the current renovation costs. Although originally planned for completion in 2024, the project experienced delays due to the complexities involved in restoring such a historic structure.
The transformation of Hohenschönhausen Castle represents a significant investment in the cultural and social infrastructure of Lichtenberg, promising to create a new focal point for the community.
