Definitely has that stormtroopers-and-showgirls architecture.
Posted on 05/23/2007 10:22:37 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Berlin-Tempelhof, Hitler’s favourite airport, could yet be rescued by one of the world’s most influential Jewish philanthropists.
Cosmetics billionaire, New York socialite and art collector Ronald Lauder – son of the celebrated Estée Lauder - is behind a €350m (£235m) project to turn the Third Reich architectural relic into a luxury fly-in health clinic for Europe’s super rich.
Berlin's cash-strapped city fathers earlier this year finally cleared the way to develop the proposed new Berlin Brandenburg International (BBI) on the site of the present Schönefeld airport to the south east of the city, handling an annual 22 million passengers.
Inner city Tempelhof - as well as Tegel - was earmarked for closure as a result.
One of the few remaining pieces of Nazi architecture left in Berlin, the 104-year old airport existed well before the regime came to power: Orville Wright was one of the first to land there in 1903 while the first Zeppelin was exhibited six years later.
Hitler and his master planner, Albert Speer conceived a vision to convert Tempelhof into a massive celebration of fascist power designed to handle an annual six million people.
Architect Sagebiel was subsequently commissioned to build a raised stand for 65,000 spectators on the roof of the 3,000ft (900m) concave terminal to greet the Führer’s homecomings.
The airport’s historical role figured once again when it provided crucial access to West Berlin during the Western Allies’ Berlin Airlift in 1948.
Planners have been searching desperately for a use for the airport following its scheduled closure in October 2008 and under Lauder’s plans one of the two runways would be retained so that wealthy patients could visit using their own private jets.
Andreas Kaden, managing director of Schönefeld-based Lufthansa Bombardier Aviation Services is also president of the Berlin-Brandenburg Aerospace Association.
“Tempelhof is losing millions of euros every year and corporate aviation is certainly not going to provide the money needed to keep it going.
It however still has general aviation potential but it is fair to say that we are lacking ideas.
“The decision to close Tempelhof was taken very early on in the process of reviewing airport provision in the Berlin area and it has and continues to be the subject of constant discussion.”
I’ve ridden on a light aircraft into there.
Now THAT’S interesting (if you like reaching out and touching buildings)
I’d do an adaptive reuse on the terminal building, and develop the land currently occupied by the runways and aprons. That way you have saved the historically significant building.
Kinda like DRIVING THRU some parts of Ault Spandau.......
>> Orville Wright was one of the first to land there in 1903
The first powered flight at Kitty Hawk was in 1903! I think they meant to say “1909”.
When we went to Berlin last year we flew into and out of Tempelhof. It’s kinda cool. Too bad they’re planning to close it (except to the uber-rich, if Mr. Lauren has his way).
Lauren == Lauder
Guess I don’t know my cosmetics magnates very well. ;-)
Kitler, who has taken over for the Hitler, would not comment.
Plus the Berlin Airlift memorial ... locally known as the “Fork.”
See, the media is soooo very intelligent! Duh, 1776, duh, what happened then?
From 1985-1988 I was in charge of the Control Tower at Tempelhof. At that time there was not too much traffic but what we had was very interesting; several hijackings, airshows, President Reagan’s visit. There was even a large flock of sheep on the infield at Tempelhof. Shortly after the Wall went up a East German shepherd, together with several sheep, escaped into West Berlin. The Americans allowed him to graze his flock on the grassy areas south of the main runway. I wonder if he’s still there?
The Army offered me a four-day weekend if I got my 53-pax bus license.
The course was two weeks long and I drove all over hell and creation throughout Berlin.
I never knew a city sized-bus could fit through some of the allies that exist there. Learning to drive and the subsequent details were not worth the four-day pass.
I can’t remember if I’ve driven through Spandau or not. But I did work nearby and have jogged by the outskirts.
I do definately remember driving by the prison a number of times before they tore it down.
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