GDR adventure pool SEZ in Berlin to be demolished

The former sports and recreation center (SEZ) in Berlin, the GDR's flagship adventure pool, is to be demolished. According to the current development plan, around 500 apartments and a new school are to be built on the site. "The implementation of the development plan will require the demolition of the entire building stock," said the Berlin finance administration in response to a parliamentary question from MP Damiano Valgolio (Left Party). The letter dated December 21 is available to the Deutsche Presse-Agentur. According to the letter, none of the buildings are listed. The "Berliner Zeitung" and the "Berliner Kurier" had previously reported.

In response to the question of who should be commissioned with demolition and construction, the financial administration referred to ongoing consultations with the Berlin-Mitte housing association (WBM). Considerations for a possible interim use of the site until demolition have not yet been completed.

The site in Berlin-Friedrichshain was sold to an investor by the state of Berlin in 2003 - for a symbolic euro. The leisure pool, which had been making losses for years, was already closed at the time. The buyer was obliged to reopen the SEZ by 2007. After years of legal disputes over its use, the state has now had the property again since last year.