The Sony Center Marks 25 Years as ‘Das Center’
June 24, 2025
A 1993 sketch by Helmut Jahn was produced as a limited-edition print for the opening of the Sony Center in 2000.
Celebrating 25 years at Potsdamer Platz, the Sony Center—now known as Das Center—continues to evolve through thoughtful modernization in collaboration with Jahn. As it enters a new chapter, it remains a space where memory, innovation, and community converge.
Originally designed by Jahn, Das Center stands as a powerful symbol of Berlin’s transformation. Built where the Berlin Wall once divided the city, the Center brought new energy to a site marked by conflict and rebirth. Its striking roof, integration of the historic Esplanade Hotel, and vibrant public spaces embody a forward-looking vision that redefined urban life in post-reunification Germany.
Today, Das Center continues to evolve through a transformative masterplan developed with Jahn and led by Oxford Properties. Embracing a bold reuse strategy, the project preserves 93% of existing materials and reduces CO₂ emissions by up to 96%, earning DGNB Platinum certification for sustainability. The modernization reimagines the complex for a new generation of users, with energy-efficient systems, green courtyards, and refurbished lobbies designed as welcoming, hospitality-inspired lounges that promote wellbeing and collaboration.
Key spaces are being thoughtfully transformed—including the former IMAX theater, now home to a vibrant two-story KERB food hall open to the public, with new office levels above. The design carefully preserves the Center’s architectural identity while introducing light-filled interiors, upgraded façades, outdoor terraces, and adaptable work environments. As the renewal continues, Das Center is poised to become an even more dynamic and future-forward destination at the heart of Berlin.
As seen in the June 2025 issue of Virgule/, Jahn’s bi-monthly newsletter.