Berlin's Centre Pompidou Stirs Controversy: Debating the Future of the International Criminal Court
The International Congress Centre (ICC) in Berlin, a landmark of German post-war architecture, is currently undergoing a significant transformation. The iconic building, closed since 2014 due to asbestos contamination, is in the midst of an extensive planning and competition phase for its renovation and modernisation.
The revitalisation project is structured into several stages. The pre-selection phase, which ended in late July 2025, saw interested parties submitting applications. From September 2025 to April 2026, selected applicants will engage in detailed discussions with the client to refine their proposals. The bidding phase, scheduled for May to June 2026, will see formal tenders submitted, with the best offer selected by a jury based on economic and design criteria.
The focus of the competition is to enhance the ICC's original function as a congress and event venue, while preserving its architectural heritage. There is no direct mention of plans to convert the ICC into a "Centre Pompidou"-style cultural centre, similar to the renowned cultural institution in Paris, France.
However, a proposal being considered is the partial demolition of some exhibition halls at Messe Berlin and the construction of a new location at Tempelhof Airport. This plan, which is still under consideration, could potentially bring a significant cultural attraction to Berlin if realised.
The ICC, resembling a large abandoned spacecraft, is officially protected under Denkmalschutz. The developers of the Euref Campus in Schoeneberg are proposing this plan, but the role of the ICC in this plan is not entirely clear.
New reports regarding the feasibility and extent of asbestos contamination at the ICC will be published later this year. The city is expected to accept a tender for the ICC site after the release of these reports. The winning concept for the site will receive a leasehold on the property lasting 99 years.
Berlin's Economic Senator, Franziska Giffey, has discussed the future of the ICC on the radio, suggesting the possibility of renovating the centre for cultural purposes. The current administration aims to complete the tender process within their current term.
The renovation of the ICC, if it occurs, could potentially bring a significant cultural attraction to Berlin. The ICC's transformation might also include the construction of hotels and office buildings as part of the project. However, the feasibility and potential costs of renovating the ICC for cultural purposes are not yet clear.
[1] Source: Berlin Senate Department for Urban Development and the Environment, Press Release, July 30, 2025.
- Amidst the revitalization project of the International Congress Centre (ICC), there's a compelling proposal to integrate a home-and-garden segment, adapting the ICC into a lifestyle destination with added attractions such as hotels and office buildings.
- As the ICC undergoes a significant transformation, the opportunity for a center that combines culture, lifestyle, and home-and-garden elements is being seriously considered, aligning with the city's broader plans to bring a significant cultural attraction to Berlin.
