Conflicting Interests in Berlin's Environmental Zone: A Balance Between Preservation and Renovation of Old Buildings
In the heart of Berlin's Charlottenburg district, 27-year-old Kai Baum, a self-employed software developer, embarks on a renovation journey of his recently purchased two-room apartment. The property, built in 1900, offers a typical floor plan for its era, but it comes with a unique set of challenges due to its location within a Milieuschutzgebiet, a social environment protection area.
Baum's apartment, purchased for €325,000, or approximately €4,000 per square meter, is situated in the Alt-Lietzow district near the South Spree. The residential market in Berlin, particularly in centrally located areas like Charlottenburg, is experiencing a moderate recovery, with average prices for existing properties around €5,140 per square meter [1]. However, new construction remains limited due to high costs and financing challenges, with prices averaging €8,390 per square meter [1].
As Baum delved into the renovation process, he encountered several unexpected issues. Unstable walls, an unstable wooden beam ceiling, and historical treasures hidden within the apartment's walls kept him on his toes. The apartment's Rabitz walls, particularly the one separating the living room and neighbouring apartment, are approximately ten-centimeter-thick non-load-bearing walls and are not very stable.
During the renovation, Baum had an angry neighbour due to the noise and mess caused by the construction. Despite these challenges, Baum remains determined to renovate the apartment himself and shorten the hallway to create a walk-in closet.
Baum's goal is to move into the apartment by late summer, but it won't be finished by then. He has encountered regulatory hurdles in his quest to install a threshold-free shower, a suspended WC, and towel radiators, as these features are prohibited in a Milieuschutzgebiet due to concerns over value-enhancing features and impermissibility in such areas [1].
Baum has reached out to Jan-Marco Luczak, a member of the committee for housing and urban development from the CDU, to discuss the milieuschutz topic at a federal level. He hopes to find a solution that balances the need for modernisation with the preservation of social fabric in these protected areas.
Throughout the renovation process, Baum has also discovered some fascinating historical artifacts. Old newspapers from various decades, including an article from the spring of 1990, have been found, offering a glimpse into the months before the reunification. Additionally, Baum discovered historical wall paintings and signatures of the masons who worked on the building over 120 years ago.
References:
[1] Statista (2025). Average apartment prices in Berlin by district. Retrieved from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1130466/average-apartment-prices-in-berlin-by-district/
[4] Berlin Senate Department for Urban Development and Housing (n.d.). Milieuschutzgebiete in Berlin. Retrieved from https://www.senstadt.berlin.de/themen/wohnen/wohnraum-und-wohnungsbau/milieuschutzgebiete/
- Despite facing numerous challenges, such as unstable walls and regulatory hurdles in a protected area, Kai Baum remains determined to complete the renovation of his two-room apartment in Berlin's Charlottenburg district.
- The residential market in Berlin, particularly in centrally located areas like Charlottenburg, is experiencing a moderate recovery, with average prices for existing properties around €5,140 per square meter, but new construction remains limited due to high costs and financing challenges.
- Baum has encountered issues with historical treasures within his apartment's walls, including old newspapers from various decades and historical wall paintings, adding an unexpected element to his renovation journey.
- In his quest to install modern conveniences like a threshold-free shower and towel radiators, Baum has run into prohibitions due to the location of his apartment within a Milieuschutzgebiet, prompting him to look for solutions at a federal level by reaching out to Jan-Marco Luczak, a member of the committee for housing and urban development.
- As Baum invests in home improvement to create a walk-in closet in his apartment, he is also making a personal financial investment, having purchased the property for €325,000, or approximately €4,000 per square meter, in Berlin's Alt-Lietzow district.
