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Initially planned on the Müggelberge, then in Volkspark Friedrichshain
Originally, it was to stand on the Müggelberge in the south-east of the city. Construction of a 130-metre-high television tower had already begun there when its proximity to the flight path of the growing Schönefeld Airport forced its abandonment in 1956.
For technical radio reasons, the GDR's Deutsche Post preferred an alternative location in the city center. In the summer of 1960, the State Planning Commission decided to erect the tower in Volkspark Friedrichshain in the district of the same name. IPRO Berlin, which would later also be responsible for the Alexanderplatz project, was commissioned with the planning. As a result of an in-house competition, the design of a 360m high tower was developed by 1961, which already showed clear references to the later realised version on Alexanderplatz.
However, the "end" for this location also came unexpectedly. The GDR had to withdraw the first seven-year plan in 1962 for economic reasons, and the magistrate of (East) Berlin was obliged to remove the "TV tower in Friedrichshain" project from the budget.
Initially planned on the Müggelberge, then in Volkspark Friedrichshain
Originally, it was to stand on the Müggelberge in the south-east of the city. Construction of a 130-metre-high television tower had already begun there when its proximity to the flight path of the growing Schönefeld Airport forced its abandonment in 1956.
For technical radio reasons, the GDR's Deutsche Post preferred an alternative location in the city center. In the summer of 1960, the State Planning Commission decided to erect the tower in Volkspark Friedrichshain in the district of the same name. IPRO Berlin, which would later also be responsible for the Alexanderplatz project, was commissioned with the planning. As a result of an in-house competition, the design of a 360m high tower was developed by 1961, which already showed clear references to the later realised version on Alexanderplatz.
However, the "end" for this location also came unexpectedly. The GDR had to withdraw the first seven-year plan in 1962 for economic reasons, and the magistrate of (East) Berlin was obliged to remove the "TV tower in Friedrichshain" project from the budget.
The decision in favor of Alexanderplatz is made in the summer of 1964
In the wake of the economic stabilization of the GDR after the Wall was built, the television tower came back on the agenda in 1964. With reference to the 1958 "Ideas contest for the socialist redesign of the center of the capital of the German Democratic Republic", Alexanderplatz now became the focus of attention as a possible location. A concrete point of reference was the competition entry of prominent GDR architect Hermann Henselmann entitled "Forum of Nations with the Tower of Signals", in which he had already suggested a television tower with a sphere.
Other locations, again outside Berlin, were also under discussion. However, Walter Ulbricht, First Secretary of the Central Committee (ZK) of the Communist Party “SED” (pictured left), favored the construction in a central location in the meantime. On behalf of the Central Committee, several options around Alexanderplatz were examined before the decision in favor of the current location was made at a meeting of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee on 14 July 1964. Among other things, the minutes recorded Ulbricht's simple dictum: "Architects who are against it should not be involved in the project."
The decision in favor of Alexanderplatz is made in the summer of 1964
In the wake of the economic stabilization of the GDR after the Wall was built, the television tower came back on the agenda in 1964. With reference to the 1958 "Ideas contest for the socialist redesign of the center of the capital of the German Democratic Republic", Alexanderplatz now became the focus of attention as a possible location. A concrete point of reference was the competition entry of prominent GDR architect Hermann Henselmann entitled "Forum of Nations with the Tower of Signals", in which he had already suggested a television tower with a sphere.
Other locations, again outside Berlin, were also under discussion. However, Walter Ulbricht, First Secretary of the Central Committee (ZK) of the Communist Party “SED” (pictured left), favored the construction in a central location in the meantime. On behalf of the Central Committee, several options around Alexanderplatz were examined before the decision in favor of the current location was made at a meeting of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee on 14 July 1964. Among other things, the minutes recorded Ulbricht's simple dictum: "Architects who are against it should not be involved in the project."
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It is not only the sphere that distinguishes the tower from all its predecessors
Although Walter Ulbricht had also stipulated "that the project from Friedrichshain should be copied without any changes", there were nevertheless obvious modifications and ultimately a completely new design.
The most striking difference to the Friedrichshain design, but also to all other similar towers built up to that point, was the tower head, which was designed as a sphere for the first time and was later to become the most impressive trademark of the Berlin television tower.
It also differs from all its predecessors in the design of the base of the tower. The transition from the shaft to the foundation is achieved here for the first time by a widening hyperboloid shell - an elegant and also statically advantageous solution that was already planned for the Friedrichhain. Finally, the relatively shallow type of foundation chosen here is imperceptible from the outside, but significant from a structural point of view. The prestressed ring foundation in Berlin has nothing in common with the two opposing truncated cones that were used in the pioneering construction of this type, the television tower in Stuttgart, which opened in 1956.
It is not only the sphere that distinguishes the tower from all its predecessors
Although Walter Ulbricht had also stipulated "that the project from Friedrichshain should be copied without any changes", there were nevertheless obvious modifications and ultimately a completely new design.
The most striking difference to the Friedrichshain design, but also to all other similar towers built up to that point, was the tower head, which was designed as a sphere for the first time and was later to become the most impressive trademark of the Berlin television tower.
It also differs from all its predecessors in the design of the base of the tower. The transition from the shaft to the foundation is achieved here for the first time by a widening hyperboloid shell - an elegant and also statically advantageous solution that was already planned for the Friedrichhain. Finally, the relatively shallow type of foundation chosen here is imperceptible from the outside, but significant from a structural point of view. The prestressed ring foundation in Berlin has nothing in common with the two opposing truncated cones that were used in the pioneering construction of this type, the television tower in Stuttgart, which opened in 1956.
The highly reinforced ring foundation is built in the summer of 1965
One year after the basic decision of the Central Committee of the SED, work began on May 3, 1965 to excavate the construction pit and demolish the remaining parts of the former Marienviertel. The highly reinforced ring foundation with an outer diameter of 41 m, which can be explored in more detail as a hidden structure in the interactive Goovie, was soon built.
The relatively shallow foundations were made possible by the good subsoil. The tower rises on one of the valley sand islands formed from layers of gravel and sand in the Berlin glacial valley, from which today's Berlin originated. Regardless of the proximity, the location is fundamentally different from the Museum Island, for example, whose building ground can only be used with great care due to the numerous foul mud deposits.
The highly reinforced ring foundation is built in the summer of 1965
One year after the basic decision of the Central Committee of the SED, work began on May 3, 1965 to excavate the construction pit and demolish the remaining parts of the former Marienviertel. The highly reinforced ring foundation with an outer diameter of 41 m, which can be explored in more detail as a hidden structure in the interactive Goovie, was soon built.
The relatively shallow foundations were made possible by the good subsoil. The tower rises on one of the valley sand islands formed from layers of gravel and sand in the Berlin glacial valley, from which today's Berlin originated. Regardless of the proximity, the location is fundamentally different from the Museum Island, for example, whose building ground can only be used with great care due to the numerous foul mud deposits.
Additional prestressing counteracts the ring tensile forces
Even if the "slack" (non-prestressed) reinforcement is staggered tightly, it does not cover the ring tensile force of around 18,000 MN (ca. 1,800 long ton) resulting from the inclined load application. To absorb this and prevent the concrete ring from tearing, the foundation is additionally prestressed with two circumferential rings of 10 bundle tendons each. The most powerful version in GDR at the time, the BSG 100, is used. The photograph shows one of the crossing points of the prestressing reinforcement near the chuck heads.
Additional prestressing counteracts the ring tensile forces
Even if the "slack" (non-prestressed) reinforcement is staggered tightly, it does not cover the ring tensile force of around 18,000 MN (ca. 1,800 long ton) resulting from the inclined load application. To absorb this and prevent the concrete ring from tearing, the foundation is additionally prestressed with two circumferential rings of 10 bundle tendons each. The most powerful version in GDR at the time, the BSG 100, is used. The photograph shows one of the crossing points of the prestressing reinforcement near the chuck heads.
Concreting of the hyperboloid begins in early 1966
Even before the concreting work begins, the steel support structure for the seven entrance and service floors, which are to be located inside the base, is completed at the end of November 1965. There is a good reason for bringing this work forward: the supporting structure subsequently serves as formwork for the concreting of the hyperboloid.
The base is completed in March 1966. From now on, the shaft grows continuously into the sky above Berlin. By October it had already reaches a height of 100 m, and in June 1967 it comes to the final mark of 250 m. A total of around 3,300 m3 of grade B 450 concrete is poured for the shaft - up to a height of 160 m with concrete pumps, and above that with two additional construction hoists.
Concreting of the hyperboloid begins in early 1966
Even before the concreting work begins, the steel support structure for the seven entrance and service floors, which are to be located inside the base, is completed at the end of November 1965. There is a good reason for bringing this work forward: the supporting structure subsequently serves as formwork for the concreting of the hyperboloid.
The base is completed in March 1966. From now on, the shaft grows continuously into the sky above Berlin. By October it had already reaches a height of 100 m, and in June 1967 it comes to the final mark of 250 m. A total of around 3,300 m3 of grade B 450 concrete is poured for the shaft - up to a height of 160 m with concrete pumps, and above that with two additional construction hoists.
The sphere is pre-assembled on the ground on a trial basis
Assembly of the 32 m diameter sphere can begin in March 1968. The prefabricated segments of the seven-storey steel structure are hoisted into the air and assembled by the maintenance crane already installed above.
However, this is not the first time that the sphere has been assembled: Similar to a timber roof truss, the steel structure has been pre-assembled on a trial basis, as it were, on the ground in front of Berlin City Hall in the late fall of 1967.
The sphere is pre-assembled on the ground on a trial basis
Assembly of the 32 m diameter sphere can begin in March 1968. The prefabricated segments of the seven-storey steel structure are hoisted into the air and assembled by the maintenance crane already installed above.
However, this is not the first time that the sphere has been assembled: Similar to a timber roof truss, the steel structure has been pre-assembled on a trial basis, as it were, on the ground in front of Berlin City Hall in the late fall of 1967.
In the fall of 1968, the way is clear for the finishes
Without any major incidents, the shell construction can be completed in the fall of 1968 after the sphere and the antenna mast have been installed.
There is one year left for the telecommunication installation and the furnishing of the base and spherical floors, including the three high-speed elevators. Last but not least, the revolving ring in the tower café at a height of 207 m, where 200 guests at their window tables rotate around the tower axis within an hour. By the way, two of the floors above are reserved for the Ministry for State Security (MFS) from the outset.
In the fall of 1968, the way is clear for the finishes
Without any major incidents, the shell construction can be completed in the fall of 1968 after the sphere and the antenna mast have been installed.
There is one year left for the telecommunication installation and the furnishing of the base and spherical floors, including the three high-speed elevators. Last but not least, the revolving ring in the tower café at a height of 207 m, where 200 guests at their window tables rotate around the tower axis within an hour. By the way, two of the floors above are reserved for the Ministry for State Security (MFS) from the outset.
Completion on time for the 20th anniversary of the GDR
While an opening in 1968 had been set as the target at the beginning, the 20th anniversary of the GDR on October 7, 1969 emerged as an ideologically highly desirable and realistic date. And indeed, the ambitious building project was completed on schedule - an outstanding achievement by all involved.
On September 29, 1969, the Ministers for Post and Telecommunications and for Construction invited selected "builders" to a reception in the "Telecafé", the official inauguration took place on October 3 and the tower was opened to the public on October 7.
Completion on time for the 20th anniversary of the GDR
While an opening in 1968 had been set as the target at the beginning, the 20th anniversary of the GDR on October 7, 1969 emerged as an ideologically highly desirable and realistic date. And indeed, the ambitious building project was completed on schedule - an outstanding achievement by all involved.
On September 29, 1969, the Ministers for Post and Telecommunications and for Construction invited selected "builders" to a reception in the "Telecafé", the official inauguration took place on October 3 and the tower was opened to the public on October 7.
After reunification, the tower grows by a further 3 m
In 1991, the tower shaft is extensively renovated for the first time. In 1995-99, the German Telekom, as the new operator, renews the entire operating technology of the transmission tower and raises the top to its current height of 368 m.
After reunification, the tower grows by a further 3 m
In 1991, the tower shaft is extensively renovated for the first time. In 1995-99, the German Telekom, as the new operator, renews the entire operating technology of the transmission tower and raises the top to its current height of 368 m.
Planning and structural design - a network of participants
The question of the authorship of the Berlin television tower was the subject of considerable controversy already during its construction. After 1989, it was also the subject of heated public debate. Who was allowed to claim the fundamental design and urban planning concept with the sphere as the focal point, who could call themselves the chief architect? The illustrated list of those involved in the project, which was published in the magazine "Deutsche Architektur" in 1970, gives an idea of the internal battles. For example, the names of Gerhard Kosel, the architect officially appointed as overall manager of the tower project, or Gerhard Frost, the officially appointed chief engineer, are simply missing.
The authorship of the structural engineers, on the other hand, is relatively clear. It corresponds with the information in the illustration. Werner Ahrendt was already responsible for the structural design; later, together with Volkmar Wurzbacher, he led the planning team for the statics and construction of the reinforced concrete structure. Jürgen Böttcher was their counterpart in the field of steel construction. Unfortunately, hardly any further information on these engineering colleagues is publicly available without more detailed research.
Planning and structural design - a network of participants
The question of the authorship of the Berlin television tower was the subject of considerable controversy already during its construction. After 1989, it was also the subject of heated public debate. Who was allowed to claim the fundamental design and urban planning concept with the sphere as the focal point, who could call themselves the chief architect? The illustrated list of those involved in the project, which was published in the magazine "Deutsche Architektur" in 1970, gives an idea of the internal battles. For example, the names of Gerhard Kosel, the architect officially appointed as overall manager of the tower project, or Gerhard Frost, the officially appointed chief engineer, are simply missing.
The authorship of the structural engineers, on the other hand, is relatively clear. It corresponds with the information in the illustration. Werner Ahrendt was already responsible for the structural design; later, together with Volkmar Wurzbacher, he led the planning team for the statics and construction of the reinforced concrete structure. Jürgen Böttcher was their counterpart in the field of steel construction. Unfortunately, hardly any further information on these engineering colleagues is publicly available without more detailed research.
Key data
Location: Panoramastraße 1A, 10178 Berlin-Mitte
Construction period: 1965–69
Planning:
VE BMK Kohle und Energie,
Betrieb Industrieprojektierung Berlin (IPRO), with
- Structural engineering: Werner Ahrendt, Jürgen Böttcher, Volkmar Wurzbacher
- Architecture: Fritz Dieter and Günter Franke in collaboration with Hermann Henselmann and Gerhard Kosel
- Antenna support: VEB Sächsischer Brücken- und Stahlhochbau Dresden
Execution:
- Tower shaft: VEB Spezialbaukombinat Magdeburg
- Steel construction: VEB Industriemontage Leipzig
Key data
Location: Panoramastraße 1A, 10178 Berlin-Mitte
Construction period: 1965–69
Planning:
VE BMK Kohle und Energie,
Betrieb Industrieprojektierung Berlin (IPRO), with
- Structural engineering: Werner Ahrendt, Jürgen Böttcher, Volkmar Wurzbacher
- Architecture: Fritz Dieter and Günter Franke in collaboration with Hermann Henselmann and Gerhard Kosel
- Antenna mast: VEB Sächsischer Brücken- und Stahlhochbau Dresden
Execution of construction work:
- Tower shaft: VEB Spezialbaukombinat Magdeburg
- Steel construction: VEB Industriemontage Leipzig
