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project database - Potsdam | Brandenburger Street

Architect

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paving-stones ● slabs

Location

Brandenburger Street, 14467 Potsdam

Between Culture and Shopping: Brandenburger Street in the Heart of Potsdam

Brandenburger Street in Potsdam is a 750-meter-long pedestrian zone that runs from the Peter and Paul Church at Bassinplatz to the Brandenburg Gate at Luisenplatz. Created during the second city expansion in 1733, it was initially home to craftsmen. By the late 19th century, the street transformed from a residential area into a commercial hub, and today it is often referred to as a “boulevard” or “broadway.” With numerous shops, cafés, and restaurants, it invites visitors to linger. Nearby attractions, such as Sanssouci Palace and the Barberini Museum, combine culture and shopping perfectly. During the Advent season, the festively decorated street transforms into Potsdam’s popular Christmas market.

 

New Infrastructure and Paving for Brandenburger Street

Brandenburger Street is currently undergoing extensive renovation to improve traffic safety and accessibility. The new paving, covering more than 6,250 m², comes from the Berlin-based company BESCO and is made of fine-grained, reddish-gray belgrano® granite, laid in a diagonal pattern. Granite, a particularly durable hard stone, makes the surface suitable even for heavy-duty traffic. Additionally, the material stands out for its exceptional resistance to weather and de-icing salts, making it both long-lasting and low-maintenance – ideal for a busy street in Potsdam’s city center.

In addition to the new paving, the underground infrastructure, including water, gas, and electricity lines, is also being modernized. The first phase was successfully completed in summer 2024. Since September 2024, work has been focused on the second section, covering the area from Jägerstraße to Dortustraße.

 

UNESCO Creative City of Film: Potsdam’s Role as a Major Film Hub

Potsdam, home to the over 100-year-old Babelsberg Film Studios, is a sought-after location for film and TV productions. Around 200 outdoor filming permits are issued annually. Since the studios opened in 1912, numerous significant films have been produced here, from silent films like Der Totentanz to Oscar-winning works such as Inglourious Basterds and The Grand Budapest Hotel. Today, the Babelsberg Studios are among the most profitable film studios in Europe, solidifying Potsdam’s status as Germany’s leading film hub.

Since October 30, 2019, Potsdam has been recognized as a UNESCO Creative City of Film – the first city in Germany and one of only 18 worldwide. The ongoing paving work provides an opportunity to implement the concept of a “Boulevard of Films,” further strengthening Potsdam’s position as a center of film production.

Potsdam’s ‘Boulevard of Films’: A Tribute to Babelsberg’s Film History

The “Boulevard of Films” was initiated during the renovation of Brandenburger Street to honor Potsdam’s rich film history and the Babelsberg Studios. The project aims to celebrate significant films while enhancing the city’s cultural and tourist value. Along the boulevard, 55 granite slabs are embedded, displaying the titles of important films shot in Potsdam. The 80 x 80 cm natural stone slabs, as well as the paving stones, were supplied by BESCO and engraved by a stonemason.

In contrast to the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Potsdam’s Boulevard focuses on the films themselves rather than the people behind them. The selection of honored works is based on their significance to Potsdam, as well as their artistic and technical achievements. Among the recognized films are classics such as Der Totentanz (1912) and Metropolis (1927).

The “Boulevard of Films” was inaugurated on July 4, 2024, and the first eight slabs have already been installed.

 

Urban Projects in Potsdam: BESCO Supplies Proven belgrano® Natural Stone

For this construction project, granite was deliberately chosen, as this hard stone is particularly well-suited for high-traffic areas such as pedestrian zones, which are used daily by many people and delivery vehicles. In addition to its functional advantages, granite also impresses with its natural elegance and aesthetic appeal.

In recent years, BESCO has proven its reliability by supplying numerous urban projects in and around Potsdam with belgrano® natural stone. Even during this construction project, which was carried out during the COVID-19 pandemic, the company impressed with consistent quality and reliability. Other projects in Potsdam supplied by BESCO include the Palais Barberini, the Minsk, and the State Parliament at the Old Market.

Design elements ● Pedestrian zones & city squares

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