50 years of the Europa Center
Berlin's Europa Center is a shopping mall built in 1965 and located next to the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church. The center would later become a symbol of West Berlin and its colorful history.
A central landmark
The Europa Center is located on Breitscheidplatz, a famous square in the district of Charlottenburg. It opened its doors in April 1965, four years after the city was divided by the Berlin wall. The center was modeled on American shopping malls and was intended to confer a sense of autonomy and confidence to West Berlin - with stores, restaurants, an office tower, a hotel and cinema.
Easy to access
There's no point in building a mall that nobody can get to! At least, that was what developers were probably thinking in 1965 when they opened a pedestrian bridge over Tauentzienstraße, which led directly to the commercial hub. But that route didn't seem to take off with shoppers; the bridge was knocked down a few years later.
International cinema
Until its closure in 2004, the Royal Palast Cinema in the Europa Center boasted one of the world's largest curved movie theater screens. For many years, it also served as the venue for Berlin's International Film Festival, the Berlinale.
Fountain displays
Enjoying a coffee at the so-called "Wasserklops" water fountain in the summer of 1991. The Weltkugelbrunnen fountain (as it's formally known) is located right in front of the Europa Center on Breitscheidplatz. The steps beyond the fountain lead to the ground floor of the Europa Center.
Old-time charm
Today, the center's interior evokes the charm of a bygone era. Visitors get the sense that the design, while once cutting-edge, is no longer contemporary. With some 70 stores and several restaurants and bars on the upper levels, the center also boasts a theatre and cabaret venue on the ground floor.
Love and dance in West Berlin
From 1998 to 2005, techno fans partied it up at the Love Parade which went by Berlin's famous Kurfürstendamm shopping street. The route was subsequently changed to accommodate the ever-growing crowds. While the Love Parade's original route may be consigned to history, the Europa Center is still standing proud.
Starring role
For half a century, the Mercedes star has graced the top of the 103-meter high Europa Center. Weighing three tons, the 10-meter high star takes about 30 seconds to complete a full turn. At night, it's illuminated by 681 fluorescent lights.
Maintenance
Since its installation in 1965, the star on top of the office block has only stopped spinning during maintenance work. The star's design allows it to be tipped over horizontally while work is being done. In 1999, it was out of action for a week while work was being done.
Room with a view
Every high-rise needs a bar on the top floor! In the Europa Center, visitors can relax and enjoy the view over a beverage in the Puro Sky Lounge on the 20th floor.
50th anniversary
West Berlin has changed dramatically since 1965. One of the oldest shopping malls in Berlin, the Europa Center is now a historically preserved building. What do the next 50 years hold in store?