Bierpinsel occupation in Steglitz: Protest against gentrification!

Bierpinsel occupation in Steglitz: Protest against gentrification!

On Saturday afternoon, several people tried to occupy the Bierpinsel on Schloßstrasse in Berlin-Steglitz. Loud Daily Mirror At least five police cars were on site and Schildhornstrasse in the direction of Schloßstrasse was closed. The activists placed a pink skull flag in the style of the manga “One Piece” and a banner reading “Beer Brush for All” on the tower facade. A police spokesman confirmed the operation, but could not provide any further details.

The occupying people were at the beer brush without authorization and threw down leaflets. In these leaflets they explained their motives and demanded that the beer brush be shared. The criticism was directed against the plans to fill the tower exclusively with offices after years of vacancy. Instead, activists called for more non-commercial meeting places and pointed to the closure of many businesses while new offices are being built in the area.

A symbol against gentrification

The action is a clear signal against gentrification in Berlin. Gentrification describes restructuring processes in inner-city residential areas in which lower-income sections of the population are replaced by wealthier ones. These processes can be observed in many Berlin districts, where symbolic and structural improvements are taking place. In the example of the Schillerkiez in Neukölln, higher-income citizens moved into previously neglected areas, which led to the displacement of the original residents Fu Berlin describes.

The owner Götz Fluck plans to create more than just office space in the Bierpinsel. His concept also includes a branch of the Free University on the ground floor, offices on the middle floors and a restaurant with a roof terrace at the top. However, these plans face opposition from those who call for more community-accessible and creative spaces rather than commercial establishments.

An Architectural Heritage

The Bierpinsel, a striking building from the 1980s, was designed by the architects Ursulina Student-Witte and Ralf Student. Planning began in the late 1960s and the structure opened in 1976. Ursulina Student-Witte and Ralf Student have not set foot in the Bierpinsel since it opened. Due to neglect, the building has been largely vacant since 2002, and the owners made several unsuccessful attempts to revitalize it, such as modern-regional.de reported.

The occupation action has reignited the discussion about the future of the Bierpinsel and highlights the gap between the needs of the community and the commercial interests of investors. While the activists demand a space for everyone, the planners see the building as an economic opportunity for the region.