Palast Der Republik - Berlin (Palace of the Republic - Berlin)

A piece of east germanys contemporary history that was torn down after 30 years.

You can see the “Palace of the Republic” here. It was built in East Berlin from 1973 to 1976 and represented the German Democratic Republic. The building was not only intended for politics, it was also accessible to the public. There were dance events, TV shows, a Restaurante, a youth club and yes! there was even a discotheque.

The special thing about this building was that it was the first in the GDR with cantilevered steel frames. From the outside, the Palace of the Republic was clad with white, hanging marble slabs. The windows received sun protection that made them appear in a high-gloss gold and copper-brown color.

The building was nicknamed "Erich's Lamp Shop" due to its diverse and elaborate lighting.

After the fall of the eastern border in Germany, the Palace of the Republic was closed in 1990 and demolished in 2006 due to asbestos contamination and in favor of another building.

East Germany, Berlin, (German Democratic Republic)

Location Berlin-Midle

Architect collective of the building academy of the GDR around Heinz Graffunder

Client: Government of the GDR

Year of manufacture: 1973-1976

Demolition: 2006–2008

The Palace of the Republic is deeply regretted by many people who lived in the GDR. It was a part of their identity and they feel like a piece of their contemporary history has been removed. That's why I built the model. I saw it, I was in it, I know what it felt like, I know what it smelled like, I remember it.

Lego could give people a little piece of history back. If people accept it.

(There is also a larger version of this model that I built in the LDD in 2012/13. I will show them to you later in the updates.)

Parts: 2133

Studs: 66x34x13

Centimeters: 53x27x15

Weight: 2619 Gr.

In memory of the "Palast Der Republik" (1976 - 2006)