New home for ZLB: move to Friedrichstrasse less expensive than expected

New home for ZLB: move to Friedrichstrasse less expensive than expected

New location for the Berlin Central and State Library: A budget surprise

The Berlin Central and State Library (ZLB) could have a new, cheaper location on Friedrichstrasse than previously. Culture Senator Joe Chialo (CDU) announced that the number of around 589 million euros, which stood for the move in the room, was already "outdated". "We are definitely underneath," said Chialo at a discussion evening in the Academy of the Arts in Berlin.

The planned move would shift the library location to Quartier 207 on Friedrichstrasse, where, among other things, the Luxury department store Galeries Lafayette, which is due to close at the end of July. This new location would enable the ZLB to expand its premises and to meet the increasing need for space and modern equipment.

Although Chialo was confident about the costs, he also emphasized that it was important not only to pay attention to numbers, but also to lead careful negotiations. Details about the talks have not been announced because they are still in progress.

The ZLB has been looking for a new location for years, since the current locations in Kreuzberg and Mitte have become too small and urgently need to be renovated. The 207 district was proposed by Chialo as a suitable location, but encountered mixed reactions.

The possible shift of the ZLB to Friedrichstrasse shows that the library is willing to invest in the future and offer its users improved institutions. A modern library building in a central location could not only attract readers, but also make a cultural and educational policy contribution to the city of Berlin.

- Nag