Topping-Out Ceremony for Siemensstadt Square: The Start of a New Chapter

Almost exactly two years to the day after the cornerstone was laid, a topping-out ceremony was held on June 29 for the Atrium building and the high-rise at the entrance to the neighborhood. This progress marks an important milestone for Berlin’s “Zukunftsort” and, at the same time, the start of the next phase of development for the 76-hectare site in the Spandau district.

With the revised master plan—developed in collaboration with the State of Berlin and the Spandau district - Siemensstadt Square is evolving into an even more urban neighborhood: In the future, approximately 3,750 apartments will be built. These will be complemented by spaces dedicated to innovation and industrial production.

“For the well-being of this new building” - with this traditional topping-out toast, the topping-out ceremony on June 29, 2026, reached its emotional climax. At the future entrance to Siemensstadt Square, some 350 guests witnessed the convergence of a centuries-old craft tradition and one of Berlin’s most exciting up-and-coming locations - among them Berlin’s Governing Mayor Kai Wegner, Senators Franziska Giffey and Ute Bonde, Senator Christian Gaebler, as well as Siemens Executive Board members Cedrik Neike and Veronika Bienert, and Nathalie von Siemens, representing the Siemens family.

Open Innovation Campus

The new buildings at the future Siemensstadt S-Bahn station will serve as the visible entrance to an open innovation campus. The atrium building (scheduled for completion in early 2027) will be home to Siemens AG’s Berlin headquarters. The approximately 60-meter-tall high-rise (scheduled for completion in early 2028) will bring together teams from Digital Industries, Smart Infrastructure, and Siemens Mobility.
At the same time, the site will be deliberately opened up to companies, research institutions, and startups. This will create a high-performance ecosystem for future industrial technologies - particularly in the areas of industrial software, industrial artificial intelligence, and smart, sustainable infrastructure. Industrial production will be consolidated into two industrial hubs.

A new school, more living space, and excellent transportation links

As the neighborhood takes shape, the infrastructure foundations for the future are also being laid. A key outcome of the reorientation is the significant expansion of housing options: The new master plan will allow for approximately 3,750 apartments in the future - about 1,000 more than previously planned. This will create much-needed housing while also making the neighborhood significantly more urban, vibrant, and sustainable in the long term. Siemensstadt Square is thus consistently evolving into a place where work, housing, and daily life come together.
At the same time, key infrastructure prerequisites are being established. The property for the planned elementary school will be transferred to the State of Berlin and the Spandau district as early as July 1, 2026. The four-track elementary school will be built in the immediate vicinity of the future S-Bahn station. The ongoing reactivation of the Siemensbahn, as a key infrastructure project, also secures the region’s future. The new connection will significantly improve Siemensstadt Square’s access to Berlin Central Station and lay the foundation for sustainable mobility throughout the neighborhood.

Holistic Approach to Sustainability

From a structural standpoint, too, the neighborhood is consistently looking toward the future: Its own local heating and cooling network, featuring Europe’s largest wastewater heat exchanger, supplies the buildings in a climate-neutral manner. Low-carbon building materials, hybrid wood construction, and the highly efficient KfW40 standard underscore the high standards for the project’s construction. This is complemented by climate-resilient, biodiversity-promoting open spaces and public areas that are fully accessible throughout. The new buildings are also aiming for LEED Platinum certification, the highest level.

Implementation continues to gain momentum

Currently, several hundred people are working every day to make the “Berlin Future Site” a reality. Planning is carried out entirely digitally using Building Information Modeling (BIM). Digital twins enable more precise planning, more efficient construction processes, and optimized operations.