The capital city, Brandenburg, still has a prominent place today in the rich cultural landscape of the federal state. The city of the Prussian palaces and gardens offers a varied and rich world of culture and art in addition to its historical inheritance that goes far beyond the national borders.
The historic centre of the city houses the Hans-Otto Theatre, the Nikolai Hall, the House of Brandenburg-Prussian History, the Film Museum, the Obelisk Cabaret as well as the Theatre Boat. Potsdam’s very modern culture and business district is in the Schiffbauergasse in this suburb of Berlin.
Right on the banks of the Havel, across from Babelsberger Park, at one time the first Prussian steam ship was built, there was the drilling and splendor of a garrison, and a gasworks sizzled for 150 years. The reconstruction and conversion of the area was and is one of the most significant projects of the capital city in the past few years. This is a realistic vision to integrate art, culture, business and tourism in this single location in such a way that a vibrant centre for interaction and the cross-pollination of ideas and creativity comes into being.
Right at the water, the new building of the municipal Hans Otto Theatre is being erected. Listed historic buildings such as, for example, the laundry facility of the former garrison, the impressive stables, and chicory mill have been renovated and will be used in the future for cultural events and restaurants. An open air venue, the Uferpark, and facilities for ship and boating tourism will be additional attractions.
The software giant ORACLE has already moved its office here. Volkswagen AG has erected its new design centre here and other new businesses will follow. The opening of the completed culture and business site “Schiffbauergasse” took place in autumn 2006 after the completion of the Hans Otto Theatre .
