Berlin's Heikonaut Artist Hub to Be Replaced by 120 City Worker Apartments
A former creative hub in Berlin-Lichtenberg, once home to around 150 artists and practitioners, is set to become a new residential development. The Heikonaut site, which was demolished in 2024 amid public backlash, will now host 120 apartments for city employees, with construction due to start shortly.
The Heikonaut centre operated as a studio and exhibition space until its closure last year. Its demolition made way for the Sewanstraße project, which has since secured all necessary approvals. A preliminary building permit was granted in 2024, with final confirmation issued on July 31, 2025.
The land was transferred to berlinovo, the city's state-owned housing developer, under a forward-funding deal finalised on November 6, 2024. Plans include three linear buildings covering 9,200 square metres, offering one- to four-room apartments. Priority for tenancy will go to workers in high-demand professions or sectors where Berlin is actively recruiting.
Criticism followed the loss of Heikonaut, but alternative spaces have since emerged. These include expansions at RAW-Gelände in Friedrichshain, extensions to Künstlerhaus Bethanien, and the new Kreativquartier Adlershof in Treptow-Köpenick.
Construction is expected to begin soon, with completion targeted for 2027. The development aims to relieve pressure on Berlin's housing market by providing dedicated accommodation for municipal staff. The project replaces a site that once supported a thriving community of artists and creatives.
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