The Berlin Hapuptbahnhof (Main Station). 2006. Designed by von Gerkan, Marg and Partners. The station hosts not only the ICE highspeed express trains, regionals, and locals but also the S-Bahn and U-bahn — metropolitan underground and elevated trains as well. [Press the next links for other views] Photograph 2009 by George P. Landow. [You may use this image for any noncommercial purpose as long as you credit the photographer and this URL]. Text © Stuart Durant.
The new station is built on the site of the 1871 Lehrte Bahnhof, which was designed by Alfred Lent (1836-1915), Bertold Scholz (?) and Gottlieb Henri Richard La Pierre (1842-93). It was the terminus of the 239 km. line linking Berlin with Lehrte, near Hanover. The fine, French Renaissance style, station was severely damaged during the 1939-45 war and was demolished in 1957. After the re-uniting of Germany on October 3rd 1990 work was begun on improving Berlin's rail network. The Lehrte Bahnhof site — close to the centre of Berlin and major government buildings — was the obvious situation for the new central station. A competition for the design of the new station was held which was won by the well-known Hamburg practice von Gerkan, Marg and Partners. The station, which is on five levels, posed many challenges for both architects and engineers and it is still not entirely complete. It is said to be the busiest station in Europe.
