The Heartbeat of Berlin’s Music Scene: The Fight to Save Forster Straße 5

In the heart of Berlin’s Kreuzberg district stands a five-story red brick building that has been a symbol of musical innovation and cultural history for decades. Forster Straße 5, a seemingly unassuming structure, has been the birthplace of some of Germany’s most iconic music. From legendary acts like SEEED, Peter Fox, and Deichkind to international stars like Nick Cave and Tokio Hotel, this building has been a creative refuge for artists of all genres and generations. But now, this cultural landmark is at risk of disappearing—threatening not only the livelihoods of the artists who call it home but also a piece of Germany’s musical soul.

A Legacy of Creativity

Forster Straße 5 has been a hub of musical activity for over 30 years. Originally an industrial site, it was transformed in the 1980s into a vibrant artistic space. Today, four of its five floors are filled with recording studios, while the basement houses a martial arts school run by Karen Yala, a cornerstone of the local community. The building’s shabby charm and unpretentious atmosphere have made it a magnet for both established and up-and-coming artists.

The list of musicians who have worked within its walls reads like a who’s who of German music history. Alongside artists like Silbermond, Marteria, and Kool Savas, international names such as Nick Cave and Element of Crime have also worked here. Marc Forster, the legendary filmmaker, is another example of the creative diversity this building attracts. Beyond the big names, Forster Straße 5 has nurtured countless emerging talents, providing a space where creativity can flourish without the pressures of commercialization.

The Threat of Displacement

The building’s future was thrown into jeopardy when it was purchased by GSG, a large real estate company. Initially unaware of the building’s cultural significance, GSG’s plans posed a direct threat to the artists and studios housed within. For many of the tenants, leaving Forster Straße 5 would mean not only losing their workspace but also the significant investments they’ve made in building and maintaining their studios. Setting up a recording studio often requires tens of thousands of euros, and these investments would be lost if the artists were forced to relocate.

The situation worsened when a long-term tenant was evicted, allegedly due to fire safety violations. However, a fire safety report commissioned by the tenants concluded that any issues could be easily remedied. This raised fears that this could be the beginning of a gradual displacement process.

A United Fight for Survival

Faced with this existential threat, the tenants of Forster Straße 5 came together to form the Musikhaus Forster Str. 5 e.V., an association dedicated to preserving the building as a cultural and creative space. Their efforts gained a powerful ally in Tim Renner, a prominent figure in the German music industry. Renner, a former managing director of Universal Music, founder of Motor Music, and former Berlin Senator for Culture, has been actively advocating for the building’s preservation.

Through Renner’s connections, the tenants were able to open a dialogue with GSG. In a surprising turn of events, the company expressed willingness to work with the tenants and even consider selling the building to the artists. However, the path to ownership is fraught with challenges. Rising interest rates and the bursting of the real estate bubble have made it difficult to secure financing at a feasible price. Despite these hurdles, GSG has granted the tenants permission to stay until the end of 2025, providing a glimmer of hope and additional time for negotiations.

Building Awareness and Mobilizing Support

To strengthen their cause, the tenants have launched a multifaceted campaign to raise awareness about the building’s cultural significance. At the heart of these efforts is a documentary podcast series set to debut in early 2025. Filmed in the kitchen of Bewake Studios, the series will feature interviews with artists, producers, and other stakeholders, sharing stories about the music created at Forster Straße 5 and its impact on their lives.

The podcast, managed by Adam Kesselhaut and Mason Pharis, will also involve interns from music universities, fostering the next generation of talent while highlighting the building’s importance. Kesselhaut, an American expatriate and founder of Bewake Studios, has been a driving force behind the campaign. His studio, the largest tenant in the building, has hosted an impressive array of artists, including Nina Chuba, Apache 207, and Sarah Connor.

Additionally, Bewake Studios in Kreuzberg belongs to Adam Kesselhaut. It is part of the alugha family system. Many projects at Bewake Studios have been realized directly with alugha’s CEO, Bernd Korz, including the music for the Bernd Bridges TV show, the development of various audio plugins for alugha dubbr, and professional dubbing of commercials, films, and production music.

A Call to Action

The fight to save Forster Straße 5 is about more than preserving a building—it’s about safeguarding a cultural legacy. The tenants are calling on the Berlin government, private investors, and the public to recognize the value of this unique artistic hub. They argue that the building’s significance extends far beyond its physical walls—it is a symbol of Berlin’s creative spirit and an indispensable space for artistic expression in an increasingly commercialized world.

As the campaign gains momentum, the tenants remain hopeful that a solution can be found. Whether through government intervention, private investment, or a combination of both, the goal is clear: to ensure that Forster Straße 5 continues to be a home for music, creativity, and community for generations to come.

Conclusion

Forster Straße 5 is more than just a building; it is a living testament to the power of music and art. Its loss would not only be a blow to the artists who work there but also to the cultural fabric of Berlin and beyond. As Tim Renner put it: “It’s not just about saving a building—it’s about preserving a piece of our collective soul.”

The story of Forster Straße 5 is far from over. With determination, creativity, and the support of the community, this iconic space may yet continue to inspire and nurture the artists of tomorrow.