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Berlin

A towering achievement: Berlin's first high-rise

The Borsigturm (detail) an Expressionist masterpiece, and Berlin's first skyscraper

Looking like something out of a Fritz Lang movie, the remarkable Borsigturm (Borsig Tower) dominates the Tegel area skyline.

Constructed in 1925 as the administrative centre of the former 'Borsigwerke' locomotive works, this Expressionist gem was Berlin's first ever high-rise, and still impresses with its austerely angled presence.

Archival image of the Borsigturm tower - Berlin's first high rise, completed in 1925
View of the Borsigturm, Berlin

The tower is surrounded by further remnants of what was once a mighty manufacturing facility - a sprawling complex largely completed in the late 19th century, then devastated by WWII bombing.

Borsigwerke, Berlin - former locomotive manufacturing plant

Image credit: wikipedia.org

Today, the ornate former entrance to the factory grounds still stands adjacent to the metro station (above, left), and much of the remaining site has been converted into office and leisure facilities - including what might just qualify as Berlin's most impressive mall.

Borsig Hallen shopping centre, housed in a former industrial workspace

Image credits: www.hallenamborsigturm.de

Entrance to the Hallen am Borsigturm shopping centre, housed in historical industrial workshops

The Hallen am Borsigturm shopping centre occupies the huge steel and glass workshops once used to manufacture railway engines, and even if its retail offering is fairly mainstream, the location itself is undeniably rather special.

Combine this with the fact that Berlin's most striking highrise is right next door, and an excursion to Borsigwerke towers above your average shopping trip.


See also:
Space age shopping, socialist mosaics
A bridge to a power plant
Riverside views and an industrial courtyard cafe
An Expressionist tombstone


Former Borsigwerke factory precinct and Borsigturm tower: Borsigwerke Metro, U6 Line, 13507 Berlin
Hallen am Borsigturm shopping centre: Am Borsigturm 2, 13507 Berlin
Opening times: Mon-Sat, 10am-8pm (selected Sunday openings - check website for details)

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