Border tower in Berlin up for auction
Turret of Time: A DDR Border Watchtower Awaits Its New Master!
Get ready to claim a piece of history, folks! The crumbling DDR border watchtower of Cumlosen, nestled in Prignitz district, hits the auction block in Berlin on Friday. With a starting bid as low as 5,000 euros, this listed building, standing majestically on the Elbe between Wittenberge and Lenzen, could be yours!
However, be cautious, as time has left its signature on this relic. The tower stands in dire need of a facelift – vandalism and vacancy have left their substantial scars. But fear not, for whoever has the guts, vision, and cash can transform this remnant of DDR border security into something remarkable.
The German Land Auction Company doesn't beat around the bush; they openly reveal the tower's condition. But a savvy buyer with deep pockets and a sense of history could give new life to this historic piece.
The tower itself echoes DDR architecture: massive, three-story, with a basement. Once a symbol of border security, today it humbly rents for a mere 200 euros per year. The ground floor houses a hallway, toilet, and the control room for electricity. A sturdy iron staircase climbs to the former living quarters of the border guards on the first and second floors, and to the old observation deck at the summit.
A Bigger Plot, a Bigger Dream
Not only the tower, but also its expansive 3,683 square meter plot is on the block! In total, there are 180 square meters of usable space ripe for restoration. The tower currently belongs to a federal real estate company.
Cumlosen, located in the heart of the former borderland, is where the Elbe once served as a divide between the Federal Republic and the DDR. Today, ferries mend the connection between Brandenburg and Lower Saxony. But local interest in the district remains minimal. Spokesman Bernd Atzenroth explains: "Yes, this tower intrigues many, but Prignitz itself won't bid."
Mike Laskewitz, managing director of the Prignitz Tourism Association, sees potential. "Right now, there's a building without a purpose," Laskewitz remarks. Convertible tourist use, similar to the neighboring former border tower at the Lenzen ferry landing, is within reach. There, a steel staircase ascends, and inside, there are education boards about the region's history and ecology.
Will the Courageous Owner Rise to Renovate This Whispering Witness of History?
Countless potential buyers may be drawn to the auction, eager to restore and repurpose this historical relic. These include:
- Private investors or entrepreneurs dreaming of unique real estate projects blending historical significance with modern uses, such as transforming the tower into a tourist attraction, boutique inn, or event venue.
- Historians or cultural preservation groups with aspirations to restore and preserve the tower as a historical monument or museum that highlights the East German border history.
- Artists or creative collectives in search of unconventional spaces for studios, galleries, or cultural activities, eager to capitalize on the tower's distinctive structure and story.
- Local government or community organizations striving to repurpose the tower for educational or community purposes, preserving it as a landmark to boost local heritage tourism.
As the auction draws near, only time will tell whether a visionary will seize this opportunity to bring this silent sentinel of history back to life.
The auction for the DDR border watchtower in Cumlosen includes not only the tower itself, but also its expansive 3,683 square meter plot, providing opportunities for a potential buyer to transform it into a distinctive tourist attraction, boutique inn, event venue, historical monument, museum, artist studio, gallery, or cultural space. With the starting bid at 5,000 euros, this historical relic could be a unique investment for private investors, historians, artists, local government, or community organizations.
