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New residential and commercial mix in Prenzlauer Berg: Will the planning become reality?
New construction project in Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg: Mixed-use pyramid houses on a former parking lot between Friedrichshain and Prenzlauer Berg.
New residential and commercial mix in Prenzlauer Berg: Will the planning become reality?
In Prenzlauer Berg, the investor ARGO Properties is planning to convert the parking lot on Eldenaer Straße into a residential and commercial project. The project envisages the construction of two pyramid-shaped houses that will offer apartments as well as various commercial spaces such as offices, restaurants and retail. This initiative is intended to replace the parking lot, currently a location of the REWE supermarket chain, while improving the surrounding area. The planned use is called a mixed-use concept.
The historical context of the property is remarkable. It was part of the former central cattle and slaughterhouse, which was opened in 1881 and closed after the fall of communism in 1990. Because of this history, the construction project met with resistance in the Pankow district council. The project presentation took place in August 2022, but was viewed critically and rejected.
Hurdles and monument protection
A key obstacle to the realization of the project is the insufficient capacity of the authorities and the requirements of monument protection, as the property is located close to historical buildings. The eaves height of the project exceeds the allowable values, which requires additional permits. Nevertheless, a monument protection report has shown that the building project is compatible with the monument. The architect Christoph Langhof demands that the pyramid houses meaningfully complement the historical building stock.
A new push for approval came in July 2025 with revised plans. This includes not only the construction of residential buildings, but also the construction of a daycare center and medical practices. However, the current political climate in the district remains cautious and there is currently no concrete prospect for the project.
Digital application for monument protection
The monument protection process has been supported by new digital options since 2020. In Berlin, applications for monument protection can now be submitted digitally via the city's service portal. This system enables paperless applications, which leads to faster processes, especially in administration. A digital assistant helps fill out the forms, and all information goes directly into the monument authorities' digital specialist processes.
Every year, the Berlin monument authorities receive up to 30,000 written applications. Digitalization aims to simplify the application process and speed up processing, which is also important for potential construction projects like the one in Prenzlauer Berg. The responsible monument authority receives the application automatically and contacts the applicants if they have any further questions to ensure a smooth process.
Although the project is currently encountering political hurdles, the hope remains that the revised planning and digital support in the application process will make a positive contribution to implementation.
For further information about the construction project and the planning challenges, we refer to the reporting by Development city, as well as details on monument protection Berlin.de and for digital application submission Commune21.