East Side Park / Park on the Spree

Park along the East Side Gallery in Berlin

The East Side Park lies as a 25 m wide band between the future Brommy Bridge and the mill store. The Hinterland wall (today's East Side Gallery) and the parallel control path at the original level form the monument ensemble. The adjoining terrain was lowered towards the riverbank and designed as a sloping ribbon of lawn to allow the promenade to run close to and over the water. The openness of the Spree area was deliberately emphasized and highlighted at this location.

The upper level, a promenade at the level of the adjacent urban quarter, is defined by the Wall and Control Way monument area. The control path has been left in its original condition; damaged areas have been repaired. In contrast to the green lawn band, it is embedded in an area of gravel lawn, reminiscent of the former death strip with its barren appearance, but also functions as an action and transit space with a wide view over the Spree.

Ramps and stairs, which cut slightly into the lawn area, structure the lawn band and secure the access.

Between the two paved levels is a slightly sloping ribbon of lawn, which is broken by the square in the axis of the arena. There, a large flight of steps leads to the landing stage.

The East Side Gallery as a significant and multi-layered document of contemporary history accompanies with its impressive structural appearance and artistic design the entire open space along the Spree from the warehouse at the Oberbaumbrücke to Stralauer Platz. This makes this strip of riverbank unique and significant for tourists and Berliners alike.
As the revival and use of the riverbank strip could hardly be expected from Mühlenstraße for the time being, we placed particular interest in the development of an urban address from the water side.

A profiled steel tube accompanies the promenade at a height of 40 cm, serves as a marker for the danger zone and creates an action area for mooring ships on the water side. On the land side, a concrete wall edge along the entire length of the promenade invites people to sit down. It borders the slightly sloping lawn, which is suitable for lingering, camping and relaxing.

The park turns towards the wide Spree area and the opposite bank. The view opens up to downtown Berlin and under the Oberbaumbrücke to the Treptowers.

An extension of the arena forecourt, a plaza area glides down from Mühlenstraße to the Spree via a generous flight of steps. On the lower level, a gastronomic facility is located directly at the pier and also the ticket sales for the shipping.
The canopy is accessible from the upper level of the square via a staircase and, as a vantage point, can boast a spectacular view of downtown Berlin.


PARK AN DER SPREE
On the other side of the Brommy Bridge, the space widens to make room for the Park an der Spree. At the water's edge, the typology of the path from the East Side Park is continued.

From the 79 flowering cherries donated to Berliners by the Japanese Journalists Association, blocks of trees emerged in the previously empty space and form the spine from which the view of the Spree is staged under the treetops and to the back of the East Side Gallery. Flanked by the former control path of the border troops up to the Wall, an open space opens up that allows one to sense the white ribbon of the Wall in its former dimension.