SPACE: Zenner Berlin in Alt-Treptow in Berlin

For over 200 years, Zenner in Alt-Treptow has been the place to be for Berlin society – from lavish parties and beer garden and bar culture in the GDR era to a modern event space with a nostalgic flair. Whether in the hall, club or wine garden, with 40 or 4,000 guests – Zenner still knows how to throw the best parties.

A visit to the listed ensemble in the middle of the Treptower Park garden monument brings a piece of Berlin history to life. Over the centuries, the original fishing estate on the south bank of the Spree has developed into one of the capital’s most legendary event venues. Initially a simple ‘Spreebudike’ (Spree hut), from 1822 onwards it was a newly built garden café in the classicist style, which experienced a golden age under the management of Rudolf Zenner with summer night balls, fireworks and entertainment programmes. After the Second World War, the destroyed main building was rebuilt in the style of socialist neoclassicism and, after many ups and downs, was given a new lease of life just in time for its 200th anniversary as an event location with a progressive, inclusive and sustainable concept.

Ever since then, the spacious and architecturally exciting venue has been available for events and celebrations of all kinds – from corporate events, conferences and presentations to weddings, concerts and readings, fashion shows, curated raves and flea markets. Not to mention ice cream in summer and ice skating in winter.

The imposing hall on the upper floor of the main building, with its six-metre-high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows, wall lights, wrought ironwork and chandeliers, as well as direct access to the terrace with a view of the Spree, is the heart of the Zenner and can accommodate up to 800 visitors. Combined with the club on the ground floor, once a commercial kitchen with exposed concrete and industrial charm, the guest list can be expanded to 1,300. Under the shade of lime trees, the beer garden can accommodate up to 2,500 guests. And those who prefer a smaller, more Mediterranean setting for their summer party can choose the vineyard right next door. Everything is taken care of, from organisation and decoration to catering and high-tech equipment with stage, sound and lighting.

In the coming years, the accommodation hall built in 1903, the so-called Körnervilla – a striking panoramic rotunda overlooking the Spree – together with the observation tower at the boiler house, will also be awakened from its slumber. This is unlikely to make the agony of choosing a location any easier.

Details

Region	DE – Germany, Berlin, Alt-Treptow in Berlin
Scenery	Located directly on the south bank of the Spree, in the middle of the Treptower Park garden monument, very well connected
Uses	Concert Event Exhibition Fashion-Show Meeting Project room Wedding Workshop
Number of Persons	40 up to 4000
Accommodation	Numerous hotels in the surrounding area
Event rooms	Hall, club, beer garden, wine garden
Equipment	High-tech equipment including stage, sound, lighting, DJ equipment, lift, underfloor heating, air conditioning, seating, parasols, decoration and set design, catering and much more.
Special features	A historic meeting place that retains the charm of bygone times and, with its impressive architecture, cool concept and varied programme, brings the joy of socialising and celebrating together into the present day.
Design	Hermann Henselmann (Zenner House, tower and boiler house, 1953–1955) and Ludwig Hoffmann (accommodation hall at Zenner, 1903–1904), interior design: Fritz Kühn (1954); Blaschke Hülsey Architects with Tony Ettelt-Brundiers, Berlin (overall renovation project); studio BB, Berlin (ice cream shop)
Completion	1822, 1904, 1955 and 2022 (renovation)