A virtual visit to the ICC

Berlin, 13 March 2025: History that unites. The Internationale Congress Centrum (ICC) characterises the cityscape of Berlin – despite or perhaps because of its unconventional appearance. When it was humorously called “a spaceship landed...” in 1979, the year it was built, no one could have guessed what an eventful development the building would one day undergo: dazzling congress centre and award-winning event venue, refugee centre, coronavirus vaccination centre. Just as marked by history as the city in which it stands, the ICC is to shine once again in a newly interpreted, but somehow also old splendour. Before that happens, the documentary “Inside Europe’s $1BN Abandoned Mega-Build” by Fred Mills, which can be seen on his YouTube channel B1M, gives viewers an insight into the interior of the “spaceship” and outlines the shared history of the two protagonists in an exciting and entertaining way: the ICC and the city of Berlin. 

However, the impressive images from the Berlin of past decades and the interior of the ICC are not only interesting for Berliners and fans of iconic architecture, but could also be informative for potential investors. Since November 2024 it has been clear: The ICC is to be given a facelift. At a press conference organised by the Berlin Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises, an international concept procedure for the renovation and recommissioning of the ICC was opened. Investors were sought who want to redesign and further develop the city’s world-famous landmark. The scope of the project and the mandatory requirements can be found on the project website. The competition has now been completed. From April 2025 to February 2026 it is followed by a dialogue phase, then followed by the offer phase until June 2026 and then ultimately the contract finalisation and notarisation. The aim is to make the ICC a vibrant place that combines art, culture, creative industries, innovation and technology.

How much potential the building offers becomes clear in Fred Mills’ documentary. An empty hall with thousands of seats, brutalist-looking architectural elements, opulent staircases and a virtual flight around the futuristic-looking “spaceship” – if you want to get an initial or renewed overview of the ICC, you can do so offline in 17 minutes. However, to understand the building fully and how it fits into its surroundings, it is also worth visiting the site. Although the doors of the Berlin architectural icon are currently still firmly closed, you can still take a walk along the building and in its surroundings. Not far away, the Berlin Radio Tower and the Haus des Rundfunks are further Berlin landmarks which, together with the ICC, are simply part of Berlin. Berliners and visitors from all over the world can therefore look forward to seeing what happens next with the ICC. The most important thing has already been decided: It’s going ahead.