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Berlin presents plans to turn Hamburger Bahnhof complex into art gallery
Berlin presented plans to secure the Hamburger Bahnhof complex for contemporary art, noting that the project is worth roughly EUR 170 million.
Under Mayor of Berlin Peter Tschentscher, the city pointed out that the German federal government contributed EUR 66 million while Berlin provided the remainder.
Federal Commissioner for Culture and the Media Claudia Roth announced the move with Berlin’s Governing Mayor Franziska Giffey.
They stressed the importance of art and culture in times of crisis and pointed out that purchase of the complex shows Berlin and federal government’s dedication.
Giffey noted that the move is good for culture “not only in Berlin, when one of the most important places for contemporary art in Germany and internationally comes back into public hands.”
A private investor bought the former railway property in 2007 and a part of the complex was to be demolished.
City authorities pointed out that the public takeover of the complex will make it more visible in the National Gallery network, adding that the museum will be expanded by 2026 with the Museum of the 20th Century worth approximately EUR 450 million.
The new name of the museum will be Hamburger Bahnhof – National Gallery of the Present, with Berlin authorities noting that it will boast a large collection of contemporary art.
The collection is to be expanded with one commissioned work per year.
(Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons)
