WBM Wohnungsbaugesellschaft Berlin-Mitte mbH is expanding its portfolio of residential properties in Berlin and has initiated the start of construction for a new project in Friedrichshain. A total of 59 rental apartments will be built at the crossroads of Friedenstraße and Pufendorfstraße by the second quarter of 2028. A significant proportion of these, specifically 30 units, fall into the subsidised segment. With this development, WBM's housing stock at this specific location will grow to a total of 250 residential units.
On a living area of approximately 3,700 square metres, apartments will be designed to accommodate various household sizes and life situations. Great importance is placed on accessibility: 52 of the new apartments will be built to be barrier-free, with three of them also designed to be wheelchair accessible. Mr Lars Dormeyer, Managing Director of WBM, commented that the new building in Friedenstraße consistently continues to develop a district that WBM has already helped shape in recent years. He emphasised that new apartments are being created, an urban gap is being closed, and an established residential environment is being strengthened to generate additional housing in an already established residential location.
Continuous district development and historical perspective
The current new build directly adjoins a residential project previously realised by WBM, which was completed in Friedenstraße in 2020. This project comprised 191 apartments and three commercial units and provided important impetus for district development. By acquiring the heritable building right in 2024, WBM was able to create the necessary conditions to now complete the urban development planned in the development plan at this location. The new building is designed to complement the existing perimeter block development and integrate harmoniously into the cityscape. The planning was carried out by the architectural firm DMSW Architekten, while the realisation is being undertaken by mib – märkische ingenieurbau gmbh as the general contractor.
Archaeological excavations are also taking place as part of the construction start. This is due to the historical background of the area, as a paupers' cemetery was located on the site until the 19th century. A further consequence of the new build is the necessary relocation of the internationally renowned mural “HOW LONG IS NOW”. WBM is working with the artists and other parties involved to find a suitable new location for the artwork. Mr Dormeyer affirmed that WBM has already given the work a new home once before and currently sees its responsibility to jointly find a new location to keep this piece of Berlin's art history visible in public spaces.
The artwork gained recognition through its large-format execution on the facade of Kunsthaus Tacheles in Berlin-Mitte, where it shaped the cityscape for many years. After the redevelopment of the Tacheles area and the associated impossibility of preserving the mural there, WBM took over the artwork and enabled it to have a new presence on its new building in Friedenstraße in 2019.
