Venue

The venue will be the "Kalkscheune" right in the middle of Berlin.

Address

Johannisstr. 2, 
10117 Berlin, Germany

Tel: +49 (0)30 59 00 4340
Mail: info@kalkscheune.de

Kalkscheune

The Kalkscheune has existed in its current, refurbished incarnation since 1996. In its first years as an event space, it was famous for its cabaret evenings, jazz concerts, and legendary techno parties. These days, you’ll find product launches, media and gala evenings, award ceremonies, podium discussions, conferences, conventions, seminars, and much more taking place within our walls. We’re proud to say that the Kalkscheune is a vibrant part of the city’s cultural landscape once more. 

History

Though first officially mentioned in the Berlin fire department’s insurance records from 1831, this historical corner building had already been around for quite a few years.

We have Johann Caspar Hummel to thank for building Berlin’s first machine factory on the site of the present-day Kalkscheune in 1804. Hummel was a pioneer of the industrial revolution in Berlin and played an important role in the construction of many public buildings built at the time. The Konzerthaus Berlin on the Gendarmenmarkt square and the Staatsoper Unter den Linden, both in Berlin’s Mitte district, bear his handprint, as do many well-known Berlin bridges. Hummel’s fame reached its height, however, when he repaired the iconic quadriga, which had been seized by Napoleon, and reunited it with Berlin’s Brandenburg gate.

If you look closely, you can still see the remains of stables along the walls of the Kalkscheune’s courtyard, as Hummel needed these four-legged friends to power his machines. Not to worry – the smell has long since faded away! It wasn’t until 1818 that Hummel transitioned to the steam engine – a gift from the Prussian emperor. Good thing, too – otherwise, the poor animals might still be there today.

The name “Kalkscheune” pays homage to Kalkscheunenstrasse, a small alleyway that connects Ziegelstrasse to Johannisstrasse. The first two street names refer to industries established here in the early 18th century (lime manufacturing and brickwork), while the latter is religious in origin. First a machine factory, the Kalkscheune later became the home of the first Prussian bicycle factory, inaugurated by Queen Augusta, before becoming a fire extinguisher factory and then a Stasi communications station during Germany’s divided years. At that time, secret agents listened in on conversations between foreign delegations staying at the GDR’s government guest house, the Johannishof, located just across the street. Over the years, the building complex fell into disrepair and was used as a warehouse.