Berlin’s historic Tempelhof airport is destined to become a vast library, a hug of historic learning.
It was one of the first airports in Europe, and was catapulted to fame when it was used by the allies to break the 1948 Soviet blockage of West Berlin.
Tempelhof was closed in 2008, but plans for it are only now coming out.
With final building plans yet to be decided, it is believed that the new centre will have seats for 3,200 readers as well as space for galleries, events, and restaurants.
Construction could begin in 2016 and take five years at an estimated €270m, although many believe the final figure will be higher.
Berlin’s existing central libraries already attract 5,000 people every day, but planners hope the new library and culltural complex will attract many more. By contrast, the Pompidou Centre in Paris has 3.5 million visitors each year, and the British Library at Kings Cross has nearly 1.5 million.
Not every resident agrees with the concept. Since Tempelhof was closed, many people have used the green space as a park.
