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Conversion in the Samariterviertel: District office stops illegal living space changes!
Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg promotes the preservation of social living spaces: conversion of a 3-room apartment uncovered and dismantled.
Conversion in the Samariterviertel: District office stops illegal living space changes!
On July 3, 2025, the Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg district office set a clear sign against inadmissible structural changes in social conservation areas. In press release No. 207, the return of a 3-room apartment on the Frankfurt Tor will be announced in its original state. The conversion took place without permission, since additional walls and a separate bathroom were installed. These measures were not only illegal, but also served to accommodate employees of a restaurateur in five small rooms.
The district office reacted to an advertisement and intervened immediately. In social conservation areas, such as the "Samariterviertel", it is necessary that any structural changes are requested by the owners from the district office. As a rule, such floor plan changes are not approved, since they are often carried out without permission to create additional rooms. Such practices often aim to take advantage of students or foreign workers, which leads to the displacement of families from the quarter
conservation areas and their importance
The number of social conservation areas in Berlin has been increasing steadily for over 30 years. There are currently 72 of these areas, also called "milieu protection areas" that aim to protect the resident population and their social composition. These areas are intended to prevent the repression of traditional residents and protect living space from luxury renovations and change of ownership, such as HEE-Rechtsanwaelte.
The legal foundations of these conservation areas are anchored in § 172 Building Code (BauGB). Any structural change, including dismantling or changes in use, requires approval. This also applies to the conversion of rental into condominiums, which has been subject to approval under certain conditions since a new regulation of 2021.
Preventdisplacement and protect infrastructure
Social right of maintenance is an essential part of urban development. It aims to maintain the existing social infrastructure - such as daycare centers, schools and green spaces - that is tailored to certain population groups. A displacement of these groups would make the infrastructure obsolete and require a new need for institutions elsewhere, such as that Urban development office emphasized.
District City Councilor Florian Schmidt indicates the importance of consistently punishing violations of the right to maintain. It is pleased with the success, which, however, is associated with intensive preparatory work and sufficient staffing. These measures are crucial in order to not only maintain social cohesion in Berlin, but also to promote actively.
The employees of the group conservation areas are available for further information and legal advice. Contact options can be reached via the press department of the district at the email address press@ba-fk.berlin.de as well as by phone at (030) 90298-2843.